Impact awareness device

ABSTRACT

An impact awareness device (IAD) may include an impact switch configured to transition from an open-circuit state to a close-circuit state when a force is exerted on the IAD in a first direction and exceeds a force threshold. The IAD may further include a headliner configured to couple with a protective headgear. The headliner may include a flexible band comprising one or more substrates configured to conform to a headband of the protective headgear, and an electronic circuit coupled to the flexible band and electrically coupled to the switch and wherein when the force threshold is exceeded the electronic circuit transmits an indication signal to provide an indication of the likelihood of a head and a vertebral column injuries when the indicator signal is received.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application hereby claims the benefit of Provisional U.S.Application No. 61/771,453 filed Mar. 1, 2013, entitled “ImpactAwareness Device,” claims the benefit of Provisional U.S. ApplicationNo. 61/772,791 filed Mar. 5, 2013, entitled “Impact Awareness Device,”and claims the benefit of Provisional U.S. Application No. 61/934,499filed Jan. 31, 2014, entitled “Impact Awareness Device.”

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present specification generally relates to an impact awarenessdevice for indicating the likelihood of a head and/or vertebral columninjuries after an impact event and, more specifically, for determiningthe likelihood of a head and/or vertebral column injury from an impactevent, immobilizing the head and/or diverting impact forces away fromthe head and/or vertebral column during the duration of the impactevent.

BACKGROUND

Protecting the head and vertebral column from the impact forces whichmay cause injury is a critical objective. Determining the risk and thelikelihood that a person has suffered a head and/or vertebral columninjury as the result of an impact is often fraught with difficultiesranging from confusion, due to a lack of available information after animpact event, to the need to resume competition despite apparent trauma.Such injuries include bone or cartilage damage to the skull or vertebralcolumn and/or brain injuries such as M.T.B.I. (Mild Traumatic BrainInjury) to brain concussions and contusions.

Accordingly, a need exists for an alternative user worn device forprotecting the head and/or vertebral column and determining thelikelihood of a head and/or vertebral column injury has occurred in realtime as well as after an impact event for the benefit of both the userand outside observers.

SUMMARY

An impact awareness device (IAD) may include an impact switch configuredto transition from an open-circuit state to a close-circuit state when aforce is exerted on the IAD in a first direction and exceeds a forcethreshold. The impact switch may include a hub including a hub basecoupled to the hub and having a central axis centered in the hub base,and a conductive body with a body axis coupled to the hub base, the bodyaxis lies along the central axis. A conductive member may be coupled tothe hub base along the central axis. A first wire may be electricallycoupled to the conductive member. A second wire may be electricallycoupled to the conductive body, The IAD may further include a headlinerconfigured to couple with a protective headgear. The headliner mayinclude a flexible band comprising one or more substrates configured toconform to a headband of the protective headgear, and an electroniccircuit coupled to the flexible band and electrically coupled to theswitch and wherein when the force threshold is exceeded the electroniccircuit transmits an indication signal and a trigger signal. The IAD mayfurther include an indicator circuit coupled to the protective headgearand electrically coupled to the electronic circuit, the indicatorcircuit is configured to provide an indication of the likelihood of ahead and a vertebral column injuries when the indicator signal isreceived.

In another embodiment, a method of immobilizing a protective headgear inrelation to a torso mount may include detecting an impact with impactawareness device (IAD), determining if the force threshold has beenexceeded, indicating that the force threshold has been exceeded with theindicator circuit, and transmitting the trigger signal to an interlacedmat. The interlaced may include a flexible magnetorheological (MR) fluidassembly configured to transition from a fluid state to a rigid statewhen a magnetic field is present. The flexible MR fluid assembly mayinclude a protective tube, a flexible tube disposed within theprotective tube, a MR fluid disposed within the flexible tube, amagnetic wire electrically coupled to the electronic circuit andconfigured to create the magnetic field to transition the MR fluid fromthe fluid state to the rigid state when the trigger signal is received,one or more inner longitudinal tubes disposed within the flexible tubeand enclosing the MR fluid, and a ferromagnetic core disposed within theflexible tube along a tube axis. The one or more flexible MR fluidassemblies may be woven together. The interlaced mat may have a firstmat end and a second mat end, the first mat end is removably coupled tothe protective headgear and the second mat end is removably coupled tothe torso mount. The method may further include transitioning the one ormore flexible MR fluid assemblies to the rigid state.

In yet another embodiment, an impact immobilization device to reduce thelikelihood of head and a vertebral column injuries, the immobilizationdevice may include an impact awareness device (IAD). The IAD may includean impact switch configured to transition from an open-circuit state toa close-circuit state when a force is exerted on the IAD in a firstdirection and exceeds a force threshold. The impact switch may include ahub including a hub base coupled to the hub and having a central axiscentered in the hub base, and a conductive body with a body axis coupledto the hub base, the body axis lies along the central axis. A conductivemember may be coupled to the hub base along the central axis. A firstwire may be electrically coupled to the conductive member. A second wiremay be electrically coupled to the conductive body, The IAD may furtherinclude a headliner configured to couple with a protective headgear. Theheadliner may include a flexible band comprising one or more substratesconfigured to conform to a headband of the protective headgear, and anelectronic circuit coupled to the flexible band and electrically coupledto the switch and wherein when the force threshold is exceeded theelectronic circuit transmits an indication signal and a trigger signal.The IAD may further include an indicator circuit coupled to theprotective headgear and electrically coupled to the electronic circuit,the indicator circuit is configured to provide an indication of thelikelihood of a head and a vertebral column injuries when the indicatorsignal is received.

The impact immobilization device may also include a headgearimmobilization device electrically coupled to the electronic circuit.The headgear immobilization device may include a mounting base coupledto the protective headgear; a mounting bracket that removably couples tothe mounting base and comprises a quick release lever, wherein when themounting bracket is inserted into the mounting base, the mountingbracket and the mounting base are coupled together and when the quickrelease lever is actuated, the mounting bracket and the mounting baseare decoupled apart; and one or more linear locks. Each linear lock mayinclude a lock housing with a first lock end and a second lock end, amount with a first mount end and a second mount end, the first mount endis coupled to the first lock end and the second mount end is coupled tothe mounting bracket, a rod with a first rod end and a second rod end, aplurality of substantially parallel grooves are disposed along the rodbetween the first rod end and the second rod end, the first rod endtravels through a housing aperture at the second lock end, and thesecond rod end is coupled to a torso mount, and an interrupter mechanismis disposed within a platform, the platform is disposed within the lockhousing and slideably couples with the rod, the interrupter mechanism isconfigured to restrict the travel of the rod by engaging an individualgroove of the plurality of substantially parallel grooves when thetrigger signal is received thereby restricting the movement of theprotective headgear in relation to the torso mount.

The impact immobilization device may also include a binding immobilizercoupled to the torso mount and electrically coupled to the electroniccircuit. The binding immobilizer may include a belt comprising aplurality of substantially parallel grooves, a belt mount coupled to thebelt at a distal end, a buckle coupled to the belt at a proximal end,and a roller buckle slideably coupled to the belt between the proximalend and the distal end and configured to matedly couple with the bucklearound the torso mount and wherein the interrupter mechanism is disposedwithin a recess in the belt mount and configured to removably engage agroove of the plurality of substantially parallel grooves when thetrigger signal is received.

These and additional features provided by the embodiments describedherein will be more fully understood in view of the following detaileddescription, in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments set forth in the drawings are illustrative and exemplaryin nature and not intended to limit the subject matter defined by theclaims. The following detailed description of the illustrativeembodiments can be understood when read in conjunction with thefollowing drawings, where like structure is indicated with likereference numerals and in which:

FIG. 1 depicts an impact switch according to one or more embodimentsshown and described herein;

FIGS. 2A through 2I depict several embodiments of a conductive memberaccording to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 3 depicts a double axis impact switch according to one or moreembodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 4 depicts a triple axis impact switch according to one or moreembodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 5 depicts a headliner according to one or more embodiments shownand described herein;

FIG. 6A depicts a headliner with one or more resilient ribs according toone or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 6B depicts a connector of the headliner according to one or moreembodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 7A depicts an impact awareness device according to one or moreembodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 7B, depicts an indicator according to one or more embodiments shownand described herein;

FIG. 7C depicts a protective headgear with the IAD and indicator circuitaccording to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 8A depicts a front view of a headgear immobilization deviceaccording to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 8B depicts a right side view of the headgear immobilization deviceaccording to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 9A depicts a mounting brace according to one or more embodimentsshown and described herein;

FIG. 9B depicts a mounting bracket according to one or more embodimentsshown and described herein;

FIGS. 10A through 10D depict a front cross-sectional view of a linearlock according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 10E depicts a right side cross-sectional view of the linear lockaccording to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 11A depicts a top view of a binding immobilizer according to one ormore embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 11B depicts a cross-sectional view of the binding immobilizeraccording to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 11C depicts a cross-sectional view of an interrupter mechanismaccording to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 12A depicts a cross-sectional view of the interrupter mechanism ina free position according to one or more embodiments shown and describedherein;

FIG. 12B depicts a cross-sectional view of the interrupter mechanism inan stopped position according to one or more embodiments shown anddescribed herein;

FIG. 12C depicts a top view of the interrupter mechanism according toone or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 13 depicts an exploded view of a flexible electromagnet assemblyaccording to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 14A depicts a perspective view of a flexible stacked electromagnetassembly according to one or more embodiments shown and describedherein;

FIG. 14B depicts an exploded view of the flexible stacked electromagnetassembly according to one or more embodiments shown and describedherein;

FIG. 15 depicts a perspective view of an interlaced mat according to oneor more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 16A depicts a front view of the interlaced mat headgearimmobilization device according to one or more embodiments shown anddescribed herein;

FIG. 16B depicts a right side view of the interlaced mat headgearimmobilization device according to one or more embodiments shown anddescribed herein;

FIG. 17 depicts a perspective view of a stacked mat according to one ormore embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 18A depicts a front view of a vertically aligned magnetic headgearimmobilization device according to one or more embodiments shown anddescribed herein;

FIG. 18B depicts a right side view of the vertically aligned magneticheadgear immobilization device according to one or more embodimentsshown and described herein;

FIG. 19 depicts a front view of an indicator housing;

FIG. 20 depicts a rear view of the indicator housing;

FIG. 21 depicts a right side view of the indicator housing;

FIG. 22 depicts a left side view of the indicator housing;

FIG. 23 depicts a top view of the indicator housing;

FIG. 24 depicts a bottom view of the indicator housing;

FIG. 25 depicts a rear, right, perspective view of the indicatorhousing; and

FIG. 26 depicts a front, left, perspective view of the indicatorhousing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following text sets forth a broad description of numerous differentembodiments of the present disclosure. The description is to beconstrued as exemplary only and does not describe every possibleembodiment since describing every possible embodiment would beimpractical, if not impossible, and it will be understood that anyfeature, characteristic, component, composition, ingredient, product,step or methodology described herein can be deleted, combined with orsubstituted for, in whole or part, with any other feature,characteristic, component, composition, ingredient, product, step ormethodology described herein. Numerous alternative embodiments could beimplemented, using either current technology or technology developedafter the filing date of this patent, which would still fall within thescope of the claims. All publications and patents cited herein areincorporated herein by reference.

Referring generally to FIGS. 1 through 4 with specific numericalreference to FIG. 1, multiple embodiments of an impact switch 10 areshown. The impact switch 10 is an open circuit device (i.e. it will notconduct current (non-conductive) between a first wire 40 and a secondwire 45 in a rest state). The impact switch 10 is configured totransition to a close circuit device (i.e. conduct current (conductive)between the first wire 40 and the second wire 45) when a force thresholdis exceeded. In other words, when the impact switch 10 is exposed to aforce that exceeds the force threshold the impact switch 10 isconfigured to detect or designed to detect, the impact switch 10 willindicate that the force threshold has been exceed by changing from anopen circuit device (non-conductive) to a close circuit device(conductive).

The force that the impact switch 10 responds to may be an impact event(i.e. an event that exerts a force to the impact switch 10 for someduration of time) or it may be a sudden motion event (i.e. an impulseforce). The impact switch 10 may be oriented in a specific direction toincrease its sensitivity to the force along a specific axis. The impactswitch 10 may have many configurations but generally, the impact switchis configured to detect lateral movements, 360 degrees around a centralaxis 30.

Referring now to FIG. 1, an exploded view of the impact switch 10 isshown. The impact switch 10 includes a hub 15, a hub base 20, aconductive body 25, a conductive member 35, the first wire 40, and thesecond wire 45. The hub 15 provides the mounting structure for theimpact switch 10. The hub 15 may be circular in shape, square, or acombination thereof. The hub 15 may include mounting brackets (notshown) or other hardware to secure the hub 15 to a surface or structure.The hub base 20 is substantially centered upon a central axis 30 and isshaped to matedly couple with the conductive body 25. The hub base 20may be coupled to the hub 15. In another embodiment, the hub 15 and thehub base 20 may be constructed as one piece. In all embodiments, the hub15 and the hub base 20 are made from non-conductive materials and may bemade from glass, epoxy, ceramic, plastic, coated metal, coated glass,epoxy, ceramic or plastic or other dielectric materials.

The conductive member 35 may be resilient, may be positioned along thecentral axis 30, and coupled to the hub base 20. The conductive member35 is configured to lie along the central axis while the impact switch10 is in a rest state. The rest state is when zero or about zero forcesare exerted on the impact switch 10. The conductive member 35 may takeon a number of shapes as sizes as shown below in FIGS. 2A through 2Ithat may determine the force threshold for the impact switch 10.

The conductive body 25 is coupled to the hub base 20. The conductivebody 25 may include a body axis 31. The body axis 31 defines the centerof the conductive body 25. The body axis 31 may also define the areawithin the conductive body 25 where the conductive member 35 occupieswhile in the open-circuit state. In one embodiment, the conductive body25 is coupled to the hub base 20. In another embodiment, a lip 55 may becoupled to the conductive body 25 and may be configured to matedlycouple with the hub base 20 and secure the conductive body 25 to the hub15. The lip 55 and the hub base 20 may be coupled through an adhesive,crimping, welding, soldering, sealant material, rivet, screw, nail,shrink fitting, interference fit, threaded coupling, or male and femaletaper fitting.

The shape of the conductive body 25 is configured to becircumferentially and equidistantly surround the conductive member 35.In one embodiment, the conductive body 25 may be cylindrical in shapeand centered on the central axis 30. The conductive body 25 may have abody circumference 60. In another embodiment, the conductive body 25 maybe spherical in shape and centered on the central axis 30.

The conductive body 25 may include one or more apertures 70 to negate adetection of motion in the impact switch 10 in a specific direction. Inother words, the impact switch 10 will not transition to a closedcircuit state when the conductive member 35 reacts to an impact andmoves to contact the conductive body 25 in a specific direction. The oneor more apertures 70 may provide an open space so that the conductivemember 35 does not make an electrical connection with the conductivebody 25. The one or more apertures 70 allow the impact switch 10 to becustomized for specific applications.

In one embodiment, the conductive body 25 may include a cap 50. The cap50 may be used to prevent the intrusion of dust and other contaminantsbetween the conductive member 35 and the conductive body 25. The cap 50may also be color coded to indicate the force threshold the impactswitch 10 is configured to determine. The cap 50 may be conductive ornon-conductive. For example, in one embodiment, the conductive member 35may be configured to contact the cap 50. In this embodiment, the cap 50is made from conductive material and the cap 50 is electrically coupledto the conductive body 25. In another embodiment, the conductive member35 may not be configured to contact the cap 50. In this embodiment, thecap 50 may not be made from conductive material and the cap 50 may becoupled to the conductive body 25 may not be required to be anelectrical coupling. The cap 50 may be coupled to the conductive body 25through an adhesive, crimping, welding, soldering, sealant material,rivet, screw, nail, shrink fitting, an interference fit, threadedcoupling, or male and female taper fitting.

In another embodiment, the cap 50 is conductive and covers the distalend of conductive body 25, where the proximal end of the conductive body25 is coupled to the hub 15. The distal end may include a slanted edge.This slanted edge allows for the impact switch 10 to indicate more thanone force threshold. For example, upon impact, the conductive member 35will transition to a closed-circuit state upon contacting the conductivebody 25 on one side where the impact force was induced. The resiliencyof the conductive member 35 may be under damped. Therefore, uponreturning towards the central axis 30, the conductive member 35 may alsoelectrically contact the slanted edge of cap 50 in an opposite directionand thus transition to a closed-circuit state again and indicate asecond, lesser force threshold.

In yet another embodiment instead of the slanted edge, the conductivebody 25 may include one or more flat inner wall sections. The flat innerwall sections may allow for the impact switch 10 to indicate more thanone force threshold. The conductive member 35 will transition to aclose-circuit state upon contacting the conductive body 25 on one sidewhere a force was induced to the impact switch 10. The resiliency of theconductive member 35 may be under damped. Therefore, upon returningtowards the central axis 30, the conductive member 35 may alsoelectrically contact the flat inner wall of conductive body 25 in anopposite direction and thus transition to a closed-circuit state againand indicate a second, lesser force threshold.

The first wire 40 and the second wire 45 may be used to electricallycouple the impact switch 10 to detection circuitry used to determine thelikelihood of a head and/or vertebral column injury from an impact. Thefirst wire 40 may be electrically coupled to the conductive member 35through the hub 15. The second wire 45 may be electrically coupled tothe conductive body 25 through the hub 15. In one embodiment, theconductive body 25 may be removably coupled to the hub base 20. In thisembodiment, the second wire 45 may be disposed on an outer surface ofthe hub base 20 to electrically couple with the conductive body 25 whenthe conductive body 25 is coupled to the hub base 20 as shown in FIG. 1.

There are several ways to configure the impact switch 10 to determinethe desired force threshold. The body circumference 60 of the conductivebody 25 may be increased or decreased to change the point of contactbetween the conductive body 25 and the conductive member 35. A centerpoint of the body circumference 60 lies along the central axis 30. Theshape of the conductive body 25 may be changed to change the point ofcontact between the conductive body 25 and the conductive member 35. Theorientation and/or angle of the impact switch 10 to the force applied tothe impact switch 10 could be changed to increase or lessen the forceand momentum imparted to the conductive member 35. The conductive member35 may be made of differing materials to change the amount of flex inthe shaft 200 of FIGS. 2A through 2I or the conductive member 35structure could be changed to change the amount of resiliency or flex inthe shaft 200. The conductive body 25 may include the slanted edge, theflat wall sections, or a combination of slanted edges and flat wallsections as described above. The properties of the conductive member 35are described below.

FIGS. 2A through 2I illustrate the many embodiments of the conductivemember 35 and the structural changes that may be made to influence theresiliency or flex of the shaft 200 of the conductive member 35. Forexample, the conductive member 35 may include an upper shaft end 215, alower shaft end 205, a first shaft end 225, a second shaft end 220, anda neck portion 210. The shaft 200 may be coupled to the hub base 20 bythe second shaft end 220. The coupling of the second shaft end 220 tothe hub base 20 may serve as an anchor or foundation for the conductivemember 35. The first shaft end 225 may not be coupled to any object.Therefore, any force imparted on the impact switch 10 of FIG. 1 wouldmove the hub 15, hub base 20, the conductive body 25, and the lowershaft end 205. However, inertia would serve to keep the upper shaft end215 stationary initially. The structural characteristics and compositionof the conductive member 35 would determine when the force threshold isexceeded, or the amount of force needed, for the conductive member 35 tocontact the conductive body 25.

The properties of the shaft 200 of the conductive member 35 may be madefrom any electrically conductive materials including but not limited tocopper, steel, metal alloys, conductive carbons such as graphene,stanene, or conductive composites. The conductive member 35 may alsovary in the thickness, length, or geometric shape to include circular,square, triangular, hexagonal, and the like. Alternatives to changingthe length, thickness, or geometric shape of the shaft 200 may includeincreasing a hub base height 65 as shown in FIG. 1 between the firstshaft end 225 and the second shaft end 220. The different hub baseheight 65 may allow for the same conductive body 25 to be used onseveral impact switches, each impact switch having a different forcethreshold depending on the hub base height 65.

FIGS. 2A through 2C illustrate a substantially circular shapedconductive member 35. FIGS. 2F through 2H illustrate a substantiallysquare shaped conductive member 35. FIGS. 2E, 2I, and 2J illustratestructural characteristics made to the upper shaft end 215 of theconductive member 35 to determine the force threshold. Referring now theneck portion 210 of FIGS. 2A through 2C and FIGS. 2F through 2H, theneck portion may change the structural characteristic of the conductivemember 35. FIGS. 2A and 2F illustrate the neck portion 210 near thesecond shaft end 220. These embodiments may be used for low gravity (G)force thresholds where the mass of the shaft 200 above the neck portion210 towards the first shaft end 225 and the composition of the shaft 200may serve to set the force threshold of the impact switch 10 of FIG. 1.Example force thresholds may be from about 0.1 Gs (gravitational force)to about 10 Gs. In one embodiment, about 8 Gs may be indicative of headand/or vertebral column injury from an impact. FIGS. 2B and 2Fillustrate the neck portion 210 equidistance between the first shaft end225 and the second shaft end 220. FIGS. 2C and 2G illustrate the neckportion 210 towards the first shaft end 225 and may be used for highforce threshold.

The shape of the neck portion 210 may also be changed to influence theforce threshold of the impact switch 10 of FIG. 1. As illustrated inFIGS. 2A and 2E, a sharp transition from the upper shaft end 215 and thelower shaft end 205 to the neck portion 210. The sharp transition mayprovide for a sharp change in the force threshold of the conductivemember 35 from a conductive member 35 without a neck portion 210 andmade from the same composition. FIGS. 2B and 2F illustrate a slighttaper in the transition from the upper shaft end 215 and the lower shaftend 205 to the neck portion 210. The slight taper in the transition mayserve to increase the robustness of the conductive member (i.e. thesharp transition of FIGS. 2A and 2E may fatigue over time and use) andserve to provide a more accurate force threshold determination of theimpact switch 10. FIGS. 2C and 2G illustrate a gradual taper of thetransition between the upper shaft end 215 and the lower shaft end 205to the neck portion 210. The gradual taper of the transition may providefor a minimal change in the force threshold of the conductive member 35from a conductive member 35 without a neck portion 210 and made from thesame composition.

The combination of the position of the neck portion 210 between thefirst shaft end 225 and the second shaft end 220 and the transition ofthe upper shaft end 215 and the lower shaft end 205 to the neck portion210 changes the force threshold of the impact switch 10.

FIG. 2D illustrates a conductive tube 230 slideably coupled to the shaft200 of the conductive member 35. An overlap distance 235 is defined asthe distance between the first shaft end 225 and the lower tube end 245.The conductive tube 230 is electrically coupled to the conductive member35. The conductive tube 230 is coaxially aligned with the conductivemember 35 along the central axis 30. The overlap distance 235 may bechanged to determine the force threshold of the impact switch 10.

FIGS. 2H and 2I illustrate a disk 240 coupled to the first shaft end 225of the shaft 200. The disk 240 may include the dimensions of a length Land a height H that may be used to determine the force threshold of theimpact switch 10. The disk 240 may be the part of the conductive member35 that makes contact with the conductive body 25. The tighter thetolerance between the disk 240 and the conductive body 25 (i.e. thelarger the length L is) the lower the G rating of the force thresholdis. The length L may never be greater than the body circumference C inFIG. 1. The height H may be increased to increase the mass of the disk240. Increase mass will increase the inertia of the disk and increasethe force threshold of the impact switch 10. The shaft 200 is resilientand reacts to an impact. The disk 240 does not function to be resilientand provides for a consistent and repeatable transition to theclosed-circuit state when the force threshold is reached. The disk 240may be a separate piece that is attached to the shaft 200 or the shaft200 and the disk 240 may be made from the same block of material.

It should be understood that multiple combinations may be used toconfigure the conductive member 35 and determine the force threshold ofthe impact switch 10. In one embodiment, more than one neck portion 210may be used in the shaft 200. In another embodiment, more than one neckportion 210 may be used where each neck portion 210 has a differenttransition between the shaft 200 and the neck portion 210. In yetanother embodiment, the disk 240 embodiments of FIGS. 2H and 2I and theconductive tube embodiment 230 of FIG. 2D may include the neck portion210 in the shaft 200.

FIG. 3 illustrates a double impact switch 300 where the impact switch 10and a second impact switch 305 is coaxially aligned with each otheralong the central axis 30. The second impact switch 305 and impactswitch 10 may share a double hub 315. The double hub 315 may include thehub base 20 and a second hub base 320. The double hub 315 may includeall the properties of the hub 15 described above to include that it madefrom non-conductive materials and may serve as a conduit for the firstwire 40, the second wire 45, a third wire 340, and a fourth wire 345.Referring to the second switch 305, the fourth wire 345 may be disposedthrough the double hub 315 and may be configured to electrically couplewith a second conductive body 325. The third wire 340 may also bedisposed through the double hub 315 and may be electrically coupled to asecond conductive member 335. The second conductive member 335 may becoupled to the second hub base 320, be coaxially aligned with theconductive member 35, and may have a different structure characteristicand composition so that the second conductive member 335 of the secondswitch 305 has a different force threshold, or second force threshold,from the force threshold, or first force threshold, of the impact switch10. In another embodiment, the first force threshold may be about equalto the second force threshold. In all embodiments, the discussion aboveconcerning the conductive member 35 applies to the second conductivemember 335.

The second conductive body 325 may have a second cap 350. The second cap350 may be used to prevent the intrusion of dust and other contaminantsbetween the second conductive member 335 and the second conductive body325. The second cap 350 may also be color coded to indicate the forcethreshold the second switch 305 is configured to determine. The secondcap 350 may be conductive or non-conductive. For example, in oneembodiment, the second conductive member 335 may be configured tocontact the second cap 350. In this embodiment, the second cap 350 ismade from conductive material and the second cap 350 is electricallycoupled to the second conductive body 325. In another embodiment, thesecond conductive member 335 may not be configured to contact the secondcap 350. In this embodiment, the second cap 350 may not be made fromconductive material and the second cap 350 may be coupled to the secondconductive body 325 may not be required to be an electrical coupling.The second cap 350 may be coupled to the second conductive body 325through an adhesive, crimping, welding, soldering, sealant material,rivet, screw, nail, shrink fitting, an interference fit, threadedcoupling, or male and female taper fitting.

In another embodiment, the second cap 350 is conductive and covers thedistal end of second conductive body 325, where the proximal end of thesecond conductive body 325 is coupled to the double hub 315. The distalend may include a slanted edge. This slanted edge allows for the doubleimpact switch 300 to indicate more than one force threshold. Forexample, upon impact, the second conductive member 335 will transitionto a closed-circuit state upon contacting the second conductive body 325on one side where the impact force was induced. The resiliency of thesecond conductive member 335 may be under damped. Therefore, uponreturning towards the second switch axis, the second conductive member335 may also electrically contact the slanted edge of second cap 350 inan opposite direction and thus transition to a closed-circuit stateagain and indicate a second, lesser force threshold from the impactswitch 10.

In yet another embodiment instead of the slanted edge, the secondconductive body 325 may include one or more flat inner wall sections.The flat inner wall sections may allow for the double impact switch 300to indicate more than one force threshold. The second conductive member335 will transition to a close-circuit state upon contacting the secondconductive body 325 on one side where a force was induced to the doubleimpact switch 300. The resiliency of the second conductive member 335may be under damped. Therefore, upon returning towards the second switchaxis, the second conductive member 335 may also electrically contact theflat inner wall of second conductive body 325 in an opposite directionand thus transition to a closed-circuit state again and indicate asecond, lesser force threshold from the second impact switch 305.

The double impact switch 300 may be used to provide anotherdetermination if a force threshold of was exceeded in a certaindirection, as with the embodiment where the first threshold of theimpact switch 10 is about equal to the second force threshold of thesecond switch 305. In another embodiment, the first threshold of theimpact switch 10 may be greater than the second force threshold of thesecond switch 305 and may be used to determine the magnitude of theforce applied to the double impact switch 300. In other words, if thesecond force threshold was exceeded but not the first force threshold,it may be determined that the force applied to the double impact switch300 was between the G rating of the impact switch 10 and the G rating ofthe second switch 305. In another example, if the first threshold wasexceeded, the second threshold was also exceeded. This may serve toprovide a redundant indication that the first force threshold indicationis correct. This may aid in a stepped indication of the force applied tothe double impact switch 300 to determine the likelihood of a headand/or vertebral column injury. The double impact switch 300 is shown inFIG. 3 in an over-under configuration. In other embodiments, the impactswitch 10 may be in a side-by-side configuration such as illustrated inFIG. 4 with the impact switch 10 and the third switch 400. In anotherembodiment, the second switch 305 may not be coaxially aligned with theimpact switch 10. The double hub 315 may support the second switch 305in any orientation to indicate the second force threshold in a seconddirection. For example, the second impact switch 305 may have a secondswitch axis (not shown but coaxially aligned with the second conductivemember 335, the second switch axis may be orthogonal to the central axis30. In yet another embodiment the second axis may be at an angle to thecentral axis 30.

FIG. 4 illustrates a triple impact switch 405. The impact switch 10 andthe second switch 305 are coaxially aligned as explained above. A thirdswitch 400 is co-located with the impact switch 10 and the second switch305 on a triple hub 415. The third switch 400 is oriented in the samedirection as the impact switch 10. In other words, the conductive member35 and the third conductive member 435 are oriented in the samedirection as well as the conductive body 25 and third conductive body425 such that the central axis 30 is substantially parallel to a thirdaxis 410. This allows for a force exerted on the triple impact switch405 to affect the impact switch 10, second switch 305, and the thirdswitch 400 identically, although each switch may have different forcethresholds due to the conductive member 35, second conductive member335, and the third conductive member 435 having different structurecharacteristics, composition, or differing body circumferences (examplebody circumference 60 of FIG. 1.) of their respective conductive bodies(i.e. conductive body 25, second conductive body 325, third conductivebody 425). As explained above, in the embodiment for with differingforce thresholds for each switch (impact switch 10, second switch 305,and the third switch 400), each force threshold may allow for a moreaccurate determination of the magnitude of the force measured in Gsexerted on the triple impact switch 405.

The impact switch 10, the second switch 305 and third switch 400 mayshare the triple hub 415. The triple hub 415 may include the hub base20, the second hub base 320, and a third hub base (not shown). Thetriple hub 415 may include all the properties of the hub 15 describedabove to include that it is non-conductive and may serve as a conduitfor the first wire 40, the second wire 45, the third wire 340, thefourth wire 345, a fifth wire 440, and a sixth wire 445 to pass throughit. Referring to the third switch 400, the fifth wire 440 may bedisposed through the triple hub 415 and may be configured toelectrically couple with the third conductive body 425. The fifth wire440 may also be disposed through the triple hub 415 and may beelectrically coupled to the third conductive member 435. The thirdconductive member 435 may be coupled to the third hub base (not shownbut identical in function to the hub base 20 of FIG. 1 and structured tomatedly couple with the third conductive body 425) and may be coaxiallyaligned with the third conductive member 435. The third conductivemember 435 may also have a different structure characteristic andcomposition so that the third conductive member 435 of the third switch400 has a different force threshold, or third force threshold, from theforce threshold, or first force threshold, of the impact switch 10 andfrom the force threshold, or second force threshold, of the secondswitch 305. In another embodiment, the third force threshold may beabout equal to the first force threshold and the second force threshold.In all embodiments, the discussion above concerning the conductivemember 35 applies to the third conductive member 435.

The third conductive body 425 may have a third cap 450. The third cap450 may be used to prevent the intrusion of dust and other contaminantsbetween the third conductive member 435 and the third conductive body425. The third cap 450 may also be color coded to indicate the forcethreshold the second switch 305 is configured to determine. The thirdcap 450 may be conductive or non-conductive. For example, in oneembodiment, the third conductive member 435 may be configured to contactthe third cap 450. In this embodiment, the third cap 450 is made fromconductive material and the third cap 450 is electrically coupled to thethird conductive body 425. In another embodiment, the third conductivemember 435 may not be configured to contact the third cap 450. In thisembodiment, the third cap 450 may not be made from conductive materialand the third cap 450 may be coupled to the third conductive body 425may not be required to be an electrical coupling. The third cap 450 maybe coupled to the third conductive body 425 through an adhesive,crimping, welding, soldering, sealant material, rivet, screw, nail,shrink fitting, an interference fit, threades coupling, or male andfemale taper fitting.

In another embodiment, the third cap 450 is conductive and covers thedistal end of third conductive body 425, where the proximal end of thethird conductive body 425 is coupled to the triple hub 415. The distalend may include a slanted edge. This slanted edge allows for the tripleimpact switch 405 to indicate more than one force threshold. Forexample, upon impact, the third conductive member 435 will transition toa closed-circuit state upon contacting the third conductive body 425 onone side where the impact force was induced. The resiliency of the thirdconductive member 435 may be under damped. Therefore, upon returningtowards the third axis 410, the third conductive member 435 may alsoelectrically contact the slanted edge of third cap 450 in an oppositedirection and thus transition to a closed-circuit state again andindicate a second, lesser force threshold from the third switch 400.

In yet another embodiment instead of the slanted edge, the secondconductive body 325 may include one or more flat inner wall sections.The flat inner wall sections may allow for the double impact switch 300to indicate more than one force threshold. The second conductive member335 will transition to a close-circuit state upon contacting the secondconductive body 325 on one side where a force was induced to the doubleimpact switch 300. The resiliency of the second conductive member 335may be under damped. Therefore, upon returning towards the second switchaxis, the second conductive member 335 may also electrically contact theflat inner wall of second conductive body 325 in an opposite directionand thus transition to a closed-circuit state again and indicate asecond, lesser force threshold.

The size of the impact switch 10, second switch 305, and the thirdswitch 400 may be from about 0.5 mm×0.5 mm to about 20 mm×20 mm. In oneembodiment, the size of the impact switch 10, second switch 305, and thethird switch 400 may be from about 4.0 mm×4.0 mm. The size of the switchmay allow for coupling of the switch closer to a head of a user todetermine the force exerted on the head more accurately. The minimalsize may also allow for more switches to be positioned around the headwithout discomfort or irritation. In one embodiment, impact switcheswith lower force thresholds may be positioned on a user to detect motionto force sensitive areas of the body which may lead to a head and/orvertebral column injury or other trauma. Further, impact switches withlarger force thresholds may be positioned on a user to detect motion tostronger areas of the body in which a larger force is needed to lead toa head and/or vertebral column injury or create trauma to the body ofthe user.

In another embodiment, the triple impact switch 405 may not be orientedin the same direction as the impact switch 10. The triple hub 415 maysupport the third switch 400 in any orientation to indicate the thirdforce threshold in a third direction. For example, the third axis 410may be orthogonal to the central axis 30. In yet another embodiment thethird axis 410 may be at an angle to the central axis 30.

The impact switch 10, the double impact switch 300, the triple impactswitch 405 are non-limiting examples of the difference configurationsthe impact switch may take. The impact switch may include as many asfive conductive members and conductive bodies, each with their own forcethreshold. For example, an impact awareness device (IAD) (FIG. 6A below)may include the impact switch configured to determined when a force isexerted on the IAD in a first direction; a second switch with a secondforce threshold coupled to the headliner and configured to determinewhen a second force is exerted on the IAD in a second direction; a thirdswitch with a third force threshold coupled to the headliner andconfigured to determine when a force is exerted on the IAD in a thirddirection; a fourth switch with a fourth force threshold coupled to theheadliner and configured to determine when a force is exerted on the IADin a fourth direction; and a fifth switch with a fifth force thresholdcoupled to the headliner and configured to determine when a fifth forceis exerted on the IAD. For example, the first direction, the seconddirection, and third direction may all be a same direction and theindicator circuit may include a first three light emitting diode (LED),a second LED, and a third LED. The indicator circuit may illuminate andindicate the magnitude of the impact force along the same direction byilluminating the first LED if the force threshold is exceeded,illuminating the second LED if the second force threshold is exceeded,and illuminating the third LED if the third force threshold is exceeded.

In another embodiment, there may be a daisy chain of impact switchesdefining a closed shape. The daisy chain would allow the impactdirection to be defined in a 360 degree plane. Multiple daisy chains maybe coupled at specific angles to each other to get a three dimensionalmagnitude and vector of an impact.

Sealant may be used to cover the impact switch 10, the double impactswitch 300, the triple impact switch 405, and any other embodiments ofthe impact switch to create a watertight, dustproof seal around theimpact switch. The one or more wires (first wire 40, second wire 45,etc) may penetrate the sealant to electrically couple the impact switchto other electronics.

Referring generally to FIGS. 5 through 7, with specific numericalreference to FIG. 6A, the IAD may be used to removably couple with aprotective headgear 700 of FIG. 7A. The IAD may be configured to sensethe magnitude (G-force) of an impact, direction of the impact, anddetermine the likelihood of a concussion or trauma to a user. The IAD isconfigured to sense the impact in three-dimensions, X, Y, and Z. The Xdimension is indicated by the first rib axis 625, the Y dimension by thesecond rib axis 645, and the Z dimension by the third rib axis 627.

Referring to FIG. 5, a headliner 500 is shown. The headliner 500 mayinclude a flexible band 510, an electronic circuit 520, one or moreconductors 535, one or more bridge conductors 525, and a power supply550. The flexible band 510 may include one or more substrates 515, oneor more expansion joints 540, one or more joint control devices 530, andone or more band apertures 545. The flexible band 510 may be configuredto conform to either a head of a user or alternatively to a headbandwhich may be removably coupled with a protective headgear 700 of FIG.7A. The one or more substrates 515 may be made from a flexible plastic,cloth, elastic fabric, silicone, or the like. The one or more substrates515 are arranged to end-to-end (565) and along with the one or moreexpansion joints 540, create a closed-shape. The one or more substrates515 provide a mounting surface for other components of the headliner500. For example, the electronic circuit 520, the one or more conductors535, the one or more bridge conductors 525, and the power supply 550 arecoupled to the one or more substrates 515 of the flexible band 510.

The flexible band 510 also includes one or more expansion joints 540 andone or more joint control devices 530. The one or more expansion joints540 may allow for the adjustment of the flexible band 510 to conform toeither a user's head or a headband of the protective headgear. The oneor more expansion joints 540 may either be an open space between the oneor more substrates 515 or the one or more expansion joints 540 may be anelastic material coupled between the one or more substrates 515. If theone or more expansion joints 540 are an elastic material, the one ormore joint control devices 530 may not be needed. In one embodiment, theone or more joint control devices 530 is configured to maintain amaximum fixed distance between the ends of the one or more substrates515. For example, and as shown in FIG. 5, the one or more joint controldevices 530 may be a tether. The tether may be a string, tube, wire,strip of material, or other non-elastic material coupled between theends 565 of the one or more substrates 515 and configured to maintainthe maximum fixed distance. In this embodiment, the maximum fixeddistance is determined by the one or more bridge conductors 525. Thetether may be needed where the one or more substrates 515 is made from acloth or elastic material and the one or more conductors 535 and/or theone or more bridge conductors 525 may be damaged by excessive stretchingof the one or more expansion joints 540.

In another embodiment, the one or more joint control devices 530 isconfigured to impart a biasing force between the one or more substrates515 and is coupled between the one or more substrates 515. The biasingforce may be imparted to draw, or pull the ends 565 of the one or moresubstrates 515 together. This may allow the 510 to have a friction fitwith a user's head. The one or more joint control devices 530 may be aclip spring, a compression spring, a tension spring, a torsion spring, aflat spring, or a wire-formed spring, all made from spring steel or thelike. The biasing force may be needed where the one or more substrates515 is made from a rigid material such as plastic or the like. In yetanother embodiment, the one or more joint control devices 530 may be amanually adjustable device. The manually adjustable device may include ahook and loop fastener, a belt and buckle, a strap and buckle adjustableclips, a snapback device, or the like. In yet another embodiment, theone or more expansion joints 540 may not be needed and the one or moresubstrates 515 are a single substrate in a closed-shape configuration.In yet another embodiment, the one or more substrates 515 may be madefrom an elastic material and the one or more expansion joints 540 may besewn with a series of overlapping folds that expand and contract toconform to a user's head.

It yet another embodiment, the one or more joint control devices mayinclude a clip spring, a compression spring, a tension spring, a torsionspring, a flat spring, or a wire-formed spring as described above incombination with the tether. This embodiment may allow for flexing ofthe one or more expansion joints 540 and the tether will maintain themaximum fixed distance as described above.

The one or more substrates 515 may include one or more band apertures545. The one or more band apertures 545 may be used to secure theheadliner 500 to a surface or structure such as, for example, a headbandof a protective headgear. The one or more substrates 515 may also haveone or more impact switches (the impact switch 10 of FIG. 1, doubleimpact switch 300 of FIG. 3, triple impact switch 405 of FIG. 4, and/orother variants of the impact switch 10 as described above) mounted toit. As shown in FIG. 5, 10 six double impact switches 300 are secured tothe one or more substrates 515. Further, two impact switches 10 aresecured to the one or more substrates 515. The location and orientationof the impact switches 10 and the double impact switches 300 aredescribed in greater detail below.

The headliner 500 may also include the electronic circuit 520. Theelectronic circuit 520 is electrically coupled to the impact switcheslocated on the headliner 500. The electronic circuit 520 makes thedetermination of the likelihood of a head and/or vertebral column injuryor trauma when one or more of the impact switches transition from anopen-circuit state to a closed circuit state. If the determination ismade, an indicator signal and/or a trigger signal may be transmitted bythe electronic circuit 520. The indicator signal and the trigger signalare described in greater detail below. In some embodiments, theelectronic circuit 520 may not transmit both signals. For example, theelectronic circuit 520 may send the trigger signal and not the indicatorsignal.

In one embodiment, the electronic circuit 520 may include a controller,a computer readable medium, and software executed by a processor. Inanother embodiment, the electronic circuit 520 may be an applicationspecific integrated circuit (ASIC) that is designed and programmed toexecute a program. In both embodiments, the electronic circuit 520 mayinclude input/output ports and an electrical connector 555. Theelectrical connector 555 may be electrically coupled to the electroniccircuit 520, may be used to electrically couple external components tothe electronic circuit 520 or to signally couple an external personalcomputer or other computing device to download impact recordings or toupload updated software.

The power supply 550 may provide power for the electronic circuit 520and the one or more impact switches (the impact switch 10 of FIG. 1,double impact switch 300 of FIG. 3, triple impact switch 405 of FIG. 4,and/or other variants of the impact switch 10 as described above). Thepower supply may be one or more battery cells or one or more capacitors.The one or more conductors 535 electrically connect the electroniccircuit 520, the one or more impact switches, and the power supply 550together. The one or more bridge conductors 525 are configured to spanthe one or more expansion joints 540 and are electrically coupled to theone or more conductors 535. The one or more bridge conductors 525 andthe one or more conductors 535 may be a ribbon cable, one or moreinsulated wires, an optical fiber, or other electrically conductivematerials.

The electronic circuit 520 and the power supply 550 are not limited tobe positioned in the headliner 500. The electronic circuit 520 and thepower supply 550 may be positioned anywhere to include the torso mount830 (FIG. 8), in a headgear housing external to the protective headgear700 (FIG. 7), a substrate sewn within a jersey of a user, a substrateadhered to an internal lining of the protective headgear 700, or a belthousing secured to a belt of the user.

Referring now to FIG. 6A, the headliner 500 is shown with one or moreresilient ribs 600. The one or more resilient ribs 600 include a firstrib 610 with a first rib end 615 and a second rib end 620 and defining afirst rib axis 625. The first rib end 615 is coupled to the headliner500 with a first connector 660 and the second rib end 620 is coupled tothe headliner 500 with a second connector 665. The first connector 660is opposite the second connector 665 on the headliner 500. A second rib630 with a third rib end 635 and a fourth rib end 640 define a secondrib axis 645, the third rib end 635 is coupled to the headliner 500 witha third connector 670 and the fourth rib end 640 is coupled to theheadliner 500 with a fourth connector 675, the third connector 670 isopposite the fourth connector 675 on the headliner 500. The first ribaxis 625 is perpendicular to the second rib axis 645. The firstconnector 660, the second connector 665, the third connector 670, andthe fourth connector 675 are configured to removably couple theheadliner 500 to the protective headgear 700 of FIG. 7A.

Referring to FIG. 6B, the second connector 665 is shown coupled to thefirst rib 610 at the first rib end 615. The second connector 665 has afirst side 690 and a second side 685, the first side 690 is hingedlycoupled to the second side 685. One or more fastening devices 695 may beused to secure the first side 690 to the second side 685. In oneembodiment, the one or more fastening devices 695 are configured topenetrate and secure a fabric edge 697 of a fabric liner 605 and the oneor more snaps are configured to matedly couple with the one or more bandapertures 545 of the one or more substrates 515 of the headliner 500. Inanother embodiment, the one or more fastening devices 695 may be a hookfastener and the fabric edge 697 may be a loop fastener and the one ormore snaps are configured to matedly couple with the one or more bandapertures 545 of the one or more substrates 515 of the headliner 500.The fabric liner 605 may be coupled to the first rib 610 and the secondrib 630 and provide for a barrier between a user's head and first rib610, the second rib 630, and headliner 500.

The first connector 660, the second connector 665, the third connector670, and the fourth connector 675 may include one or more protectiveenclosures 680 for protecting the components of the headliner 500. Forexample, the protective enclosure 680 of FIG. 6B would cover orencapsulate the impact switch 10 of the headliner 500 when the headliner500 is inserted into the second connector 665 and the first side 690 iscoupled to the second side 685 to secure the headliner 500. Not shown isa protective enclosure 680 on the second side 685 to cover orencapsulate the impact switch 10 when the first side 690 and the secondside 685 are coupled together. It should be understood the discussion ofthe second connector 665 is representative of the first connector 660,the third connector 670, and the fourth connector 675 as well.

Referring back to FIG. 6A, impact switches 10 and the double impactswitches 300 are oriented in such a manner so that in combination, theywill react to sudden motion events occurring in X, Y, and Zcoordinates/directions. As described above, each impact switchtransitions to a closed-circuit state when the impact is applied to theimpact switch as substantially orthogonally, and in a 360 degree arcaround the central axis 30. Multiple switches, in combination, allow forthe X, Y, and Z reactions to impacts, whether they are sudden motionevents or occur of a period of time. For example, the four impactswitches 10 are configured to detect the rotational movement of the IADaround the third rib axis 627. The six double impact switches 300 areconfigured to detect the rotational movement of the IAD around the firstrib axis 625 and the second rib axis 645.

One or more ultrasonic devices 1700 a, 1700 b, 1700 c, and 1700 d may beused to measure and/or detect the movement of the brain of a userrelative to the skull during athletic events or occupational hazards.The one or more ultrasonic devices 1700 a, 1700 b, 1700 c, and 1700 d inconjunction with the electronic circuit 520 may also measure and/ordetect the movement or other subcutaneous tissues and/or organs relativeto other tissues and/or organs in their proximity. The electroniccircuit 520 may provide an indication through the indication signal ifthe movement of the brain relative to the skull reaches and/or exceeds amotion threshold. The one or more ultrasonic devices 1700 a, 1700 b,1700 c, and 1700 d in conjunction with the electronic circuit 520 mayuse ultrasound technology which may be associated with sonography and/orDoppler shift monitors. The one or more ultrasonic devices 1700 a, 1700b, 1700 c, and 1700 d in conjunction with the electronic circuit 520 maytake real-time readings for momentary or temporary display or store thereadings as data for later review on a computer readable medium. Whenactivated by a trigger signal, described in greater detail below, areading will be received by the electronic circuit 520 to indicatewhether there was any tissue movement and/or how much tissue movementand the indication signal indicative of the reading will be transmitted.

In one embodiment, ultrasonic device 1700 c and 1700 d may be positionat about the temple of the user's head. The trigger signal from theelectronic circuit 520 may ultrasonic device 1700 c and receive anultrasonic signal from 1700 d. The ultrasonic signal may be indicativeof the shift of tissue within the skull. The electronic circuit 520 mayuse a look up table to compare to the ultrasonic signal to determinethat amount of shift of the tissue or brain that occurred as a result ofthe impact. In another embodiment, the electronic circuit 520 maymeasure an amount of dopler shift between an ultrasonic wave transmittedby the ultrasonic device 1700 c and the ultrasonic signal from theultrasonic device 1700 d.

One or more ultrasonic devices 1700 a, 1700 b, 1700 c, and 1700 d may becoupled to the resilient ribs (first rib 610 and the second rib 630) andconfigured to detect a shift in the user's brain. The one or moreultrasonic devices 1700 a, 1700 b, 1700 c, and 1700 d may work in pairs,one as a transmitter and one as a receiver. For example, 1700 a maytransmit an ultrasonic frequency through the user's head and 1700 b mayreceive that signal. The one or more ultrasonic devices 1700 a, 1700 b,1700 c, and 1700 d may be electrically coupled to the electronic circuit520 through the one or more conductors 535 and one or more bridgeconductors 525. The positioning of the one or more ultrasonic devices1700 a, 1700 b, 1700 c, and 1700 d may be such that an shift in thebrain of the user is easily detected, such as for example, located atthe temples of a user. In another embodiment, the position of the one ormore ultrasonic devices 1700 a, 1700 b, 1700 c, and 1700 d may be whereshown in FIG. 6A. In yet another embodiment, the one or more ultrasonicdevices 1700 a, 1700 b, 1700 c, and 1700 d may need to be in contactwith the user's scalp or skin. If the one or more ultrasonic devices1700 a, 1700 b, 1700 c, and 1700 d are in contact with the user's scalpor skin, a thin layer of silicone or other material which allowscomfortable yet effective contact where necessary on the user may beused to also insulate and/or cushion the one or more ultrasonic devices1700 a, 1700 b, 1700 c, and 1700 d from the user's scalp or skin. Inanother embodiment, the one or more ultrasonic devices 1700 may becoupled to the protective headgear 700 of FIG. 7A.

The one or more ultrasonic devices 1700 a, 1700 b, 1700 c, and 1700 dmay operate in a continuous mode where the one or more ultrasonicdevices 1700 a, 1700 b, 1700 c, and 1700 d are constantly transmittingand receiving ultrasonic signals. In another embodiment, the one or moreultrasonic devices 1700 a, 1700 b, 1700 c, and 1700 d may operate in aburst mode where the trigger signal from the electronic circuit 520 asdescribed above would cause the one or more ultrasonic devices 1700 a,1700 b, 1700 c, and 1700 d to transmit and receive the ultrasonic signalfor a fixed duration of time. The fix duration of time may be about 1second. In another embodiment, the fix duration of time may be about 5seconds or more.

The one or more ultrasonic devices 1700 a, 1700 b, 1700 c, and 1700 dmay be electrically coupled to the electronic circuit 520. The softwarein the electronic circuit 520 may dictate which situations burst modeversus continuous mode is used. For example, when the power supply 550starts to run low on energy, the electronic circuit 520 may switch fromthe continuous mode to the burst mode. In one embodiment, the electroniccircuit 520 is located in the headliner 500. In another embodiment, theelectronic circuit 520 and power supply 550 may be located in a torsomount on the user. One or more wires may electrically couple theelectronic circuit 520 and the power supply 550 to the one or moreultrasonic devices 1700 a, 1700 b, 1700 c, and 1700 d.

The electronic circuit 520 may detect the shift of the brain using theone or more ultrasonic devices 1700 a, 1700 b, 1700 c, and 1700 d andindicate Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (M.T.B.I.) a concussion or othertrauma to the brain through an indicator circuit 725 from FIG. 7Adescribed below, through progressive incidence detection, or visually ona small screen (not shown) indicating a number which represents theamount of shift which has occurred or other visual or audible indicatorincluding graphic images of the brain in motion. The number would beindicative of the amount of motion which may suggest M.T.B.I. hasoccurred. The electronic circuit 520 may also use a wireless device totransmit the ultrasonically gathered information to a receiver. Theelectronic circuit 520 may also transmit a series of successiveindicating information and/or images detected by the one or moreultrasonic devices 1700 a, 1700 b, 1700 c, and 1700 d of the brain andto another display and or receiver so the brain can be monitored. Thereceiver may be a smartphone, PC or base unit. The electronic circuit520 may also record the images to a computer readable medium to provideinformation pertaining to the number of impacts, which impact switchindicated a force threshold was reached, and other brain shiftinformation. A wired connection port may be configured to allow thecomputer-readable medium to be access and the recording to be read. Thewired connection port may be coupled to the indicator circuit 725. Inanother embodiment, the electrical connector 555 of FIG. 5 may serve asthe wired connection port.

Referring now to FIG. 7A, an IAD 705 is shown. The IAD 705 may includethe headliner 500, one or more resilient ribs 600, and the indicatorcircuit 725. In another embodiment, the IAD may include only theheadliner 500. In FIG. 7A, the headliner 500 is shown surround a head750 of a user with the first rib 610, the second rib 630 spanning overthe top of the head 750. The orientation of the headliner 500 is shownwith the second connector 665 on the side of the head 750. Theprotective headgear 700 is worn by the user and in this embodiment, theheadliner 500 with one or more resilient ribs 600 is coupled to theprotective headgear 700 by one or more attachment points 710. The one ormore attachment points 710 may be a piece of fabric, coupled to the oneor more resilient ribs 600 and looped through the protective padding 735of the protective headgear 700 to secure the headliner 500 to theprotective headgear 700. In another embodiment, the one or moreattachment points 710 may be a hard plastic and secured to theprotective headgear by fastening devices. Fastening devices include, butare not limited to, screws, buttons, snap buttons, bolts, rivets, nails,adhesives, Velcro (hook and loop fastener, weld, epoxy, or any similardevice that mechanically joins or affixes two or more objects together.In yet another embodiment, the one or more attachment points 710 may befastening devices that couple the headliner 500 to the protectiveheadgear 700.

Referring to FIGS. 7A, 7B, 7C the indicator circuit 725 may be coupledto the protective headgear 700 and be electrically coupled to theelectronic circuit 520. The electronic circuit 520 is electricallycoupled to the indicator circuit 725 through a communication cable 720.The communication cable 720 electrically couples with the electroniccircuit 520 through the electrical connector 555. The communicationcable 720 may allow the indicator signal to be as simple as a pulse toilluminate a Light Emitting diode (LED) or complex phase and/orfrequency modulated signals to carry image data from the one or moreultrasonic devices 1700. The indicator circuit 725 may be configured toprovide an indication of the likelihood of an impact related injury whenthe indicator signal is received from the electronic circuit 520. Theindication may be an audible, a visible, a tactile, or a pallesthesiaindication. Pallesthesia is defined as the ability to sense a vibration.Examples of visible indication may include a data readout display, aliquid crystal display (LCD), an electroluminescent light, one or moreLight Emitting diodes (LEDs) (single and/or multi-colored and/orphosphor-based LEDs), organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs), quantum dotLEDs, Nixie tubes, light strips, fluorescent light, incandescent lightbulbs or combinations thereof.

In another embodiment, the indicator circuit 725 may be a wirelessdevice configured to wirelessly transmit the indicator signal to areceiver. Wireless protocols such as IEEE 802.11, 802.11a, 802.11b,802.11g, or 802.11n may be used to signally communicate the indicationsignal or other protocols which may become available. As usedthroughout, the indication signal may be as simple as a pulse to tellthe indicator circuit 725 to provide visual or auditory indications. Theindication signal may be a signal that includes information pertainingto brain shift, number and magnitude of impacts, and cumulativeinformation of impacts while the IAD 705 is powered. In anotherembodiment, the wireless device may be configured to both send andreceive wireless signals to and from other IADs 705 and/or to a centralbase unit. This embodiment may allow for a remote user to also beinformed and/or alerted of another user's sudden motion event and/orinformation. The alerting information may include sudden motion eventindicating codes, such as but not limited to pulses of light images orvibrations, and/or digital and/or numeric representations for a givensudden motion event. Such information may also be secured via digitalencryption.

Referring to FIG. 7B, the indicator circuit 725 is shown. The indicatorcircuit 725 may include one more display mount apertures 729 to securethe indicator circuit 725 to a surface or structure. The indicatorcircuit 725 may include a display face 727. The display face 727 mayinclude the one or more LEDs 728 as shown in FIG. 7B. In anotherembodiment, indicator circuit 725 may include the audible device such asa piezo buzzer, speaker with associated circuitry to project an audibleinstruction or warning, or a mechanical clacker. The display face 727may couple with a dust cover of the audible device. In yet anotherembodiment, the indicator circuit 725 may include a display and thedisplay face 727 may include a screen of the display. The display mayscroll messages across it, display error codes, impact codes, graphicalillustrates of the impact, or flash to alert an operator of thepotential for the likelihood of a head and/or vertebral column injury ortrauma.

Referring now to FIG. 7C, a front view of the protective headgear 700with the IAD 705 and indicator circuit 725. The indicator circuit 725may be mounted on the protective headgear 700 or an applicable objectsuch as shoulder pads or chest piece. The indicator circuit 725 may bemounted where it is protected from impacts. In another embodiment, theindicator circuit 725 may be housed within a protective housing 724 ofFIG. 7B. As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7C, the indicator circuit 725 may bemounted slightly lower than an outer surface 730 of a faceguard 740 ofthe protective headgear 700 so the indicator circuit 725 is protectedfrom impacts with other helmets or objects. The indicator circuit 725may be coupled to the protective headgear 700 by fastening devices.

The IAD 705 may include an on-off switch. The on-off switch may bemanually operated and located on the protective headgear 700. The on-offswitch may be a simple toggle switch that allows a user to turn on andturn off the IAD 705. In another embodiment, the IAD 705 may include apower switch 765 located within the protective headgear 700 andconfigured to turn on the IAD 705 when a user places their head withinthe protective headgear 700. The IAD 705 may turn off when the userremoves the protective headgear 700 from their head. In anotherembodiment, the power switch 765 may be located within a torso mount 830of FIG. 8 and turn-on the IAD 705 when the user wears the torso mount830. The IAD 705 may turn-off when the user removes the torso mount 830.In yet another embodiment, the IAD 705 may be remotely activated ordeactivated by a third user. In all embodiments, the power switch may bea toggle switch, a pressure switch, a proximity switch, a lever switch,a rocker switch, or the like.

Referring generally to FIGS. 8 through 17, with specific numericalreference to FIGS. 8A and 8B, the IAD 705 may include structures for theimmobilization of and/or protection from impact forces to the user'shead during a potentially injurious impact event while wearing theprotective headgear 700. The immobilization device has two states; anactive state and an inactive state. In the inactive state, the user'shead will be normally in a state of free articulation and the structuresconnecting the protective headgear 700 headgear to a torso mount 830will allow for passive articulation of the user's head withoutrestriction. In the active state, the protective headgear 700 may becomeimmobilized and temporarily unified with the structure of the torsomount 830, thereby providing a protective impact force absorbing barrierbetween the object causing the impact and the user's head. The user'shead may be immobilized via the structures connecting the protectiveheadgear 700 to the torso mount 830. When the structures are activated,the protective headgear 700 is frozen in the head's current position atabout the moment of impact. The structures will not move the head/spineinto alignment. The active state may be initiated via a detected eventsuch as, for example, an impact and a trigger signal is sent to thestructures from the electronic circuit 520 as described above. Theduration of the active state is depended on the duration of the detectedevent. For example, the head may be immobilized (activated) for theduration of a motor vehicle accident and immediately mobilized(deactivated) upon the cessation of the accident.

The structures may be activated by electric switches, such as but notlimited to the impact switch described above, accelerometers, andinertial switches, located about or upon the user which are triggered byimpacts and/or sudden accelerations or decelerations or other detectedevents upon the user or the headgear.

Referring now to FIGS. 8A and 8B, a headgear immobilization device 800is shown. The headgear immobilization device 800 includes a mountingbase 810, a mounting bracket 815, one or more linear locks 825, and aquick release lever 820. The one or more linear locks 825 couple theprotective headgear 700 to the torso mount 830. The torso mount 830 maybe a shoulder pad, shoulder harness, chest pad, back pad, and or otherwearable apparatus which will allow for appropriate mounting. A bindingimmobilizer 1001 may be coupled to the torso mount 830 and be configuredto help restrain the body of the user during an impact and whilereceiving the trigger signal from the electronic circuit 520 of FIG. 5.The binding immobilizer 1001 is discussed in greater detail below.

FIGS. 9A and 9B show the mounting base 810 and the mounting bracket 815.The mounting base 810 may be coupled to the protective headgear 700through fastening devices 805, the fastening devices are describedabove. The mounting base 810 includes one or more mount slots 850 andone or more slots 835. The mounting bracket 815 includes one or morepegs 840 and one or more mount plates 865 which may include one or moremount teeth 855. The pegs 840 are coupled to the mounting bracket 815 onthe backside 870. The one or more mount plates 865 are coupled to themounting bracket 815 on the frontside 875. Individual ones of the one ormore linear locks 825 are coupled to the upper universal joint 845 whichis coupled to individual one or more mount plates 865. One or more torsoplates 860 may be used to couple the one or more linear locks 825 to thetorso mount 830 of FIG. 8A. The torso plate 860 may include a loweruniversal joint 880 coupled between each linear lock 825 and each torsoplate 860.

The mounting bracket 815 matedly couples with the mounting base 810. Themounting bracket 815 unifies the one or more linear lock 825 for ease incoupling with the mounting base 810. The mounting bracket 815 may alsoinclude a biasing mechanism 827 to bias the mounting bracket 815 awayfrom the protective headgear 700 when the mounting bracket 815 and themounting base 810 are not coupled together. The one or more pegs 840 aidin aligning the mounting bracket 815 with the one or more slots 835 onthe mounting base 810. The quick release lever 820 is actuated torelease the mounting bracket 815 from the mounting base 810. Thecombination of the mounting base 810 and the mounting bracket 815 mayallow a user to put their protective headgear 700 on, tilt their headback, and feel for the one or more pegs 840 slip into the one or moreslots 835 and lock the quick release lever 820 on one or both sides ofthe mounting bracket 815. In another embodiment, the quick release lever820 may also include a snap, clasps, spring clip, and the like.

In another embodiment, the mounting base 810 may coupled to a lower rim885 of the protective headgear 700 and the one or more torso plates 860may coupled a vertical surface 890 (FIG. 8B) of the torso mount 830. Inthis embodiment, the one or more mount teeth 855 may not be needed. Thisconfiguration allows for the one or more linear locks 825 to liesubstantially along the vertical surface 890 and may reduce therestriction of articulation of the user's head. This configuration mayalso allow for minimal to no contact between each linear lock of the oneor more linear locks 825 to through the full articulated range of theheadgear immobilization device 800.

The one or more upper universal joints 845 and the one or more loweruniversal joints 880 allow a user to move their head in the state offree articulation. The one or more upper universal joints 845 mayinclude a first joint end 891 and a second joint end 892 and one or morelower universal joints with a third joint end 893 and a fourth joint end894, the one or more upper universal joints 845 and the one or morelower universal joints 880 are configured to allow a free range ofmovement between the protective headgear 700 and the torso mount 830.The first joint end 891 is coupled to the second mount end 925, thesecond joint end 892 is coupled to the mounting bracket 815, the thirdjoint end 893 is coupled to the second rod end 945, and the fourth jointend 894 is coupled to the torso mount 830. The one or more upperuniversal joints 845 and the one or more lower universal joints 88 maybe a ball joint, a hinge and socket joint, a pivot joint, a saddlejoint, a hinge joint, a cradle joint, a conyloid joint, or combinationsthereof.

Referring to FIGS. 10A through 10E, multiple embodiments of the one ormore linear locks 825 are shown. FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate a squareembodiment of the linear lock 825 and FIGS. 10C and 10D illustrate around embodiment of the linear lock 825. The round embodiment includesone or more guides 975 and one or more guide grooves 980 to keep a rodslide 960 in alignment. The rod slide 960 is explained further below.

Referring to FIG. 10E, each linear lock of the one or more linear locks825 includes a lock housing 900 with a first lock end 910 and a secondlock end 905. A mount 915 includes a first mount end 920 and a secondmount end 925. The first mount end 920 may be coupled to the first lockend 910 and second mount end 925 may be coupled to the mounting bracket815. A rod 935 includes a first rod end 940 and a second rod end 945. Aplurality of substantially parallel grooves 955 are disposed along therod 935 between the first rod end 940 and the second rod end 945. Thefirst rod end 940 travels through a housing aperture 950 at the secondlock end 905, and the second rod end 945 is coupled to a torso mount 830as shown in FIG. 8A. An interrupter mechanism 1000 may be disposedwithin a platform 965. The platform 965 may be disposed within the lockhousing 900 and slideably couples with the rod 935. The interruptermechanism 1000 is configured to restrict the travel of the rod 935 byengaging an individual groove of the plurality of substantially parallelgrooves 955 when the trigger signal is received from the electroniccircuit 520 of FIG. 5, thereby restricting the movement of theprotective headgear 700 in relation to the torso mount 830.

A stop 930 may be coupled to the mount 915 and be used to restrict atotal travel of the rod 935. A peg (not shown) may be coupled to the rod935 and prevent the rod 935 from sliding out of the lock housing 900.The peg may slideably engage a slot aperture (not shown) on the mount915. In another embodiment, the peg may slideably engage a slot aperturein the lock housing 900. The peg may include a push button release toquickly remove the peg and allow the rod 935 to be removed from the lockhousing 900. If, for example, the quick release lever 820 should bedamaged due to an impact, the push button release may still allow forthe protective headgear 700 to be separated from the torso mount 830.The peg may be a small rod, a screw, a bolt, or other protrusion fromthe rod 925 that is configured to slideably coupled with the slotaperture. In another embodiment, the peg may be coupled to the lockhousing 900 and the slot aperture may be coupled to the rod 935.

In the above embodiment, the rod 935 includes the plurality ofsubstantially parallel grooves 955. In another embodiment, the rod 935may be coupled to the rod slide 960. The rod slide 960 slideably coupleswith the platform 965 and includes the plurality of substantiallyparallel grooves 955. The rod slide 960 may aid in the alignment of theplurality of substantially parallel grooves 955 and the interruptermechanism 1000.

FIGS. 11A, 11B, and 11C, illustrate a binding immobilizer 1001. Thebinding immobilizer 1001 is a device for the immobilizing of bindingmaterials including but not limited to chords, straps, ropes and belts.The binding immobilizer 1001 may normally be unrestricted to allow abelt 1020 to extend or retract. When the binding immobilizer 1001receives the trigger signal from the electronic circuit 520 of FIG. 5,the binding immobilizer 1001 may instantly brake to limit or stop anyextension or retraction of the belt 1020 via the interrupter mechanism1000 which may be an electromagnetically actuated latching mechanism. Inone embodiment, the binding immobilizer 1001 may be used to help securethe torso mount 830 with the user at the moment of impact, allowing freemovement of the user's body until it is activated, thereby stopping thefurther extension of the user's body and/or the torso mount 830 from thebody. In another embodiment. the binding immobilizer 1001 may also beused the control the excessive motion of the user's head when attachedto the protective headgear 700 and torso mount 830 by itself or incombination with (immobilizers, FIGS. 8A through 10E and FIGS. 12Athrough 18B) herein described as well as in contact sports, as part ofclimbing equipment, safety equipment for workers on high rises,construction workers, window washers, wind generator workers and asseatbelts for drivers and occupants of vehicles.

Referring to FIG. 11A, the binding immobilizer 1001 may include the belt1020, a roller buckle 1005 coupled to the belt 1020 between a proximalend and a distal end, a buckle 1010 coupled to the belt 1020 at theproximal end, and a belt mount 1025 coupled to the belt 1020 at thedistal end. The belt 1020 may not be elastic. The buckle 1010 and theroller buckle 1005 each have a first mount aperture 1007. The buckle1010 and the roller buckle 1005 may be configured to matedly couple andsecure the belt 1020 around or through the torso mount 830. In anotherembodiment, the first mount aperture 1007 may be used to secure thebuckle 1010 to a first surface, structure, or device and the secondmount aperture 1008 may be used to secure the roller buckle 1005 to asecond surface, structure, or device.

FIG. 11B, illustrates a cross-sectional view of the binding immobilizer1001. The stationary belt 1026 may be elastic. The belt 1020 may includea plurality of substantially parallel grooves 955. The roller buckle1005 may include a roller 1015 that allows the belt 1020 to change abelt length 1033.

Referring to FIGS. 11B and 11C, the interrupter mechanism 1000 isdisposed within a recess 1070. The interrupter mechanism 1000 mayinclude one or more pawls 1040 and an actuator 1060. The actuator 1060may be a solenoid, a electromagnet/magnet pair, or a spring undercompression with a retaining device configured to release the springwhen triggered. The actuator is configured to provide an upward force inthe direction of B to move the one or more pawls 1040 in the directionof A. The one or more pawls 1040 are configured to removably engage agroove of the plurality of substantially parallel grooves 955 and rotateabout a pivot point 1045. The one or more pawls 1040 are configured toengage the groove of the plurality of substantially parallel grooves 955regardless of the direction of travel of the plurality of substantiallyparallel grooves 955. For example, in one embodiment with a single pawl1040, the interrupter mechanism 1000 may engage the groove of theplurality of substantially parallel grooves 955 in only one direction.For example, in the embodiment shown, the one or more pawls 1040 mayengage the groove of the plurality of substantially parallel grooves 955is both linear directions and engage the same groove of the plurality ofsubstantially parallel grooves 955. In the stopped position, the pawlsare seated within a groove of the plurality of substantially parallelgrooves 955. In the stopped position, the belt 1020 is restricted in itsmovement. In a free position, the pawls are seated in the recess 1070and the belt 1020 is not restricted in its movement. The function of theinterrupter mechanism is discussed in greater detail below.

In one embodiment, the belt mount 1025 may include a backer block 1030.The backer block 1030 may provide a surface for the one or more pawls1040 to engage the belt 1020 in the stopped position and prevent thebelt 1020 from slipping over the one or more pawls 1040. In anotherembodiment, the backer block 1030 is not needed and the belt mount 1025may be configured to provide the surface for the one or more pawls 1040to engage the belt 1020 in the stopped position and prevent the belt1020 from slipping over the one or more pawls 1040.

FIGS. 12A through 12 C illustrate the various embodiments of theinterrupter mechanism 1000. The interrupter mechanism 1000 may furtherinclude the actuator 1060, the one or more pawls 1040, and on or moreupper stops 1095. The actuator 1060 is configured to transition the oneor more pawls 1040 from a stopped position to a free position. The freeposition is illustrated in FIG. 12A and the stopped position isillustrated in FIG. 12B. In one embodiment, the actuator 1060 mayinclude an electromagnet 1085, the magnet 1080, a first trigger wire1055 and a second trigger wire 1065. When the trigger signal is receivedthrough the first trigger wire 1055 and the second trigger wire 1065,the electromagnet 1085 may energize and magnetically exert a biasingforce on the magnet 1080 in the direction of arrow B. The biasing forcemay be exerted through the same polarity sides of the magnet 1080 andthe energized electromagnet 1085 are facing each other causing arepulsive force between the magnet 1080 and the electromagnet 1085. Themagnet 1080 may slideably coupled with the one or more pawls 1040 andtransition the one or more pawls 1040 from the free position to thestopped position. When the trigger signal is removed, the electromagnetmay de-energize and the magnet 1080 may move opposite the direction ofarrow B and transition the one or more pawls from the stopped positionto the free position. The one or more pawls 1035 may include a biasingmechanism to induce a downward bias (opposite arrow B) to aid in thedisengagement of the one or more pawls 1035 when the trigger signal isremoved.

In yet another embodiment, the actuator 1060 may further include aspring 1090, a pin 1075, a guide sleeve 1050, and one or more pawlsprings 1035. In this embodiment, the pin 1075 may be coupled to thespring 1090 and the one or more pawl springs 1035. The spring 1090 isfurther coupled to the magnet 1080 and may provide an additional biasingforce in the direction of arrow B and aid the electromagnet 1085 biasingforce, when energized, to transition the one or more pawls 1040 from thefree position to the stopped position. The one or more pawl springs 1035are coupled to the pin 1075 and configured to slideably couple with theone or more pawls 1040.

Referring now to FIG. 12C, the one or more pawls 1040 may include afirst pawl 1041 and a second pawl 1042. When the belt 1020 of FIG. 11Bor the rod 935 of FIG. 10E is traveling across the one or more pawls1040 in the direction of arrow C, the second pawl 1042 will engage thegroove of the plurality of substantially parallel grooves 955.Alternatively, when the belt 1020 of FIG. 11B or the rod 935 of FIG. 10Eis traveling across the one or more pawls 1040 in the direction of arrowD, the first pawl 1041 will engage the groove of the plurality ofsubstantially parallel grooves 955. The one or more pawl springs 1035allow the first pawl 1041 to act independently of the second pawl 1042.In other words, if for example, the belt 1020 exerted a downward forceon the first pawl 1041, the second pawl 1042 may not drop and missengaging the groove of the plurality of substantially parallel grooves955 because the pin 1075 was dropped due to the force exerted on it duethe first pawl 1041.

Referring back to FIGS. 12A and 12B, the actuator 1060 is disposedwithin a recess 1070. The guide sleeve 1050 may be disposed within therecess 1070 and the actuator 1060 may be disposed within the guidesleeve 1050. The guide sleeve 1050 may keep the components of theactuator 1060 in alignment and may also prevent the magnet 1080 fromtilting or flipping when the electromagnet 1085 is energized.

In yet another embodiment, and referring to FIGS. 12A and 12B, insteadof the electromagnet, when energized, biasing the magnet 1080 in thedirection of arrow B, the spring 1090 may provide the biasing force tothe magnet 1080. In this embodiment, the interrupter mechanism 1000 maybe in the stopped position when the electromagnet is de-energized. Thetrigger signal may instruct a controller to de-energize theelectromagnet 1085. When the electromagnet is energized, it may providean attraction force that overcomes the biasing force of the spring 1090and transitions the interrupter mechanism to the free position.

In yet another embodiment, the belt 1020 of FIG. 11B or the rod 935 ofFIG. 10E may not have the plurality of substantially parallel grooves955 disposed on them. The one or more pawls 1040 may engage the belt1020 or the rod 935 through friction.

In yet another embodiment, the lock housing 900 of FIG. 10E and the beltmount 1025 of FIG. 11C may include a protective lip to prevent materialor a user's skin from entering the lock housing 900 or the belt mount1025 during free movement of the linear lock 825 or the bindingimmobilizer 1001. The protective lip may slideably couple with the belt1020. Furthermore, the lock housing 900 and the belt mount 1025 may beenclosed within a dust cover to prevent any particulate build-up withinthe lock housing 900 and the belt mount 1025.

Referring generally to FIGS. 13 through 18B with specific numericalreference to FIG. 13, a flexible magnetorheological (MR) fluid assembly(i.e. a flexible electromagnet assembly 1240 of FIG. 13 and a stackedflexible electromagnet assembly 1565 of FIG. 14A) may be used torestrict the movement of the protective headgear 700 to the torso mount830 of FIG. 16A. MR fluid 1225 is a type of smart fluid in a carrierfluid, usually a type of oil. When the MR fluid is subjected to amagnetic field, the fluid greatly increases its apparent viscosity, tothe point of becoming a viscoelastic solid or a rigid member. The yieldstress of the MR fluid 1225 when in its active (“on”) state can becontrolled very accurately by varying the magnetic field intensity. TheMR fluid's ability to transmit force can be controlled with anelectromagnet. In other words, the MR fluid 1225 may be configured totransition from a fluid state to a rigid state when a magnetic field ispresent. The MR fluid 1225 may be disposed with a protective tube 1210and a magnetic wire 1235 may be wrapped around a flexible tube 1205. Themagnetic wire 1235 may be electrically coupled to the electronic circuit520 of FIG. 5 and may create a magnetic field to transition the MR fluidfrom a fluid to a rigid member when the trigger signal is received.

Referring to FIG. 13, the flexible electromagnet assembly 1240 is shown.Each flexible electromagnet assembly 1240 includes a protective tube1210 with a flexible tube 1205 disposed within the protective tube 1210,the flexible tube 1205 has a ferromagnetic core 1215 along a tube axis1220 of the flexible tube 1205 and a MR fluid 1225 disposed within theflexible tube 1205 and surrounding the ferromagnetic core 1215. Amagnetic wire 1235 may be wrapped around the flexible tube 1205 andelectrically coupled to the electronic circuit 520 of FIG. 5. Themagnetic wire 1235 in combination with ferromagnetic core 1215 maycreate a magnetic field to transition the MR fluid from a fluid to arigid member when the trigger signal is received.

The flexible electromagnet assembly 1240 may also include one or morelongitudinal tubes 1230 disposed within the flexible tube 1205 andconfigured to enclose the MR fluid 1225. The one or more longitudinaltubes 1230 may provide another lay of protection against puncture andloss of MR fluid 1225 and may also keep the MR fluid even distributedaround the ferromagnetic core 1215.

Referring to FIGS. 14A and 14B, the stacked flexible electromagnetassembly 1565 is shown. The stacked flexible electromagnet assembly 1565may include one or more stacked flexible electromagnet assembly 1565,each stacked flexible electromagnet assembly 1565 may include one ormore magnetic plugs 1515. The magnetic plugs include a flexible tube1520 with a first tube end 1525 and a second tube end 1530 and amagnetic wire 1235 wrapped around the flexible tube 1520. The magneticwire 1235 has a first plug wire 1570 and a second plug wire 1575. Theone or more stacked flexible electromagnet assembly 1565 may alsoinclude one or more capture tubes 1535 with a first capture end 1545 anda second capture end 1550 wherein the first capture end 1545 isconfigured to matedly couple with the second tube end 1530 and thesecond capture end 1550 is configured to matedly couple with the firsttube end 1525. The one or more stacked flexible electromagnet assembly1565 may also include the MR fluid 1225 disposed within the one or morecapture tubes 1535, wherein the one or more magnetic plugs 1515 and oneor more capture tubes 1535 are coupled together to create each stackedflexible electromagnet assembly 1565. Each stacked flexibleelectromagnet assembly 1565 may include a first cap 1555 and a secondcap 1560 configured to keep particulates and other material out of thestacked flexible electromagnet assembly 1565. Each stack 1556 may alsobe enclosed in a flexible sealant.

Referring now to FIG. 15, an interlaced mat 1251 is shown. Theinterlaced mat 1251 may include one or more flexible electromagnetassemblies 1240, one or more stacked flexible electromagnet assemblies1565, or a combination thereof woven together and coupled between twomoveable objects, such as for example, the protective headgear 700 andthe torso mount 830 and shown below in FIGS. 16A and 16B. When thetrigger signal is received from the electronic circuit 520 of FIG. 5, acurrent in the magnetic wire 1235 creates a magnetic field which alignsa plurality of particles in the MR fluid 1225 thereby making theinterlaced mat 1251 rigid and restricting the movement of the protectiveheadgear 700 in relation to the torso mount 830. When the electroniccircuit 520 ceases to send the trigger signal, the plurality ofparticles in the MR fluid 1225 will relax thereby allowing a free rangeof movement between the protective headgear 700 and the torso mount 830.The combination of the one or more flexible electromagnet assemblies1240 and one or more stacked flexible electromagnet assemblies 1565 isshown in FIG. 15. It should be understood that the interlaced mat 1251may include only one or more flexible electromagnet assemblies 1240 oronly one or more stacked flexible electromagnet assemblies 1565.

FIGS. 16A and 16B illustrate a magnetic headgear immobilization device1200. The magnetic headgear immobilization device 1200 may be configuredas the interlaced mat 1251, shown in FIG. 15, where the interlaced mat1251 has a first mat end 1250 and a second mat end 1255. The first matend 1250 is coupled to the protective headgear 700 and the second matend 1255 is coupled to a torso mount 830. When the trigger signal isreceived from the electronic circuit 520 of FIG. 5, the magneticheadgear immobilization device 1200 restricts the movement of theprotective headgear 700 in relation to the torso mount 830. In anotherembodiment, the first mat end 1250 may be coupled to the protectiveheadgear 700 and the second mat end 1255 may be slideably coupled to atorso mount 830 or vice versus. In other words, the magnetic headgearimmobilization device 1200 may be removably coupled to both theprotective headgear 700 and the torso mount 830. The binding immobilizer1001 may be coupled to the torso mount 830 and be configured to helprestrain the body of the user during an impact and while receiving thetrigger signal. The binding immobilizer 1001 is discussed in greaterdetail above.

Referring to FIG. 17, illustrates a stacked mat 1501. The stacked mat1501 may include a first sheet 1580 and a second sheet 1585 positionedon the first sheet 1580, the one or more flexible electromagnetassemblies 1240, one or more stacked flexible electromagnet assemblies1565, or a combination thereof, are disposed between the first sheet1580 and the second sheet 1585 and are substantially parallel to eachother to create the stacked mat 1501. The first sheet 1580 and thesecond sheet 1585 may enclose the one or more flexible electromagnetassemblies 1240, one or more stacked flexible electromagnet assemblies1565, or a combination thereof and provide a protective barrier. Inanother embodiment, the first sheet 1580 and the second sheet 1585 maybe a single sheet folded over.

The stacked mat 1501 has a first stacked mat end 1505 and a secondstacked mat end 1510. Each flexible tube 1520 of the stacked flexibleelectromagnet assembly 1565 are electrically coupled in series. In otherwords and referring to FIG. 14A, the first plug wire 1570 of theflexible tube 1520 is electrically the second plug wire 1575 of theadjacent flexible tube 1520. The first stack wire 1512 and the secondstack wire 1511 electrically couple the one or more magnetic wires 1235of the one or more adjacent flexible tubes 1520 together and areelectrically coupled to the electronic circuit 520 of FIG. 5.

Referring to FIGS. 18A and 18B, illustrates a vertically alignedmagnetic headgear immobilization device 1500. The vertically alignedmagnetic headgear immobilization device 1500 may include the stacked mat1501 of FIG. 17 and include the first stacked mat end 1505 is coupled tothe protective headgear 700 and the second stacked mat end 1510 iscoupled to a torso mount 830. When the trigger signal is received fromthe electronic circuit 520 of FIG. 5, each stacked flexibleelectromagnet assembly 1565 becomes rigid and thereby the stacked mat1501 becomes rigid and restricts the movement of the protective headgear700 in relation to the torso mount 830. When the electronic circuit 520ceases to send the trigger signal, the plurality of particles in the MRfluid will relax thereby allowing a free range of movement between theprotective headgear 700 and the torso mount 830. The binding immobilizer1001 may be coupled to the torso mount 830 and be configured to helprestrain the body of the user during an impact while receiving thetrigger signal. The binding immobilizer 1001 is discussed in greaterdetail above. In another embodiment, the first stacked mat end 1505 maybe coupled to the protective headgear 700 and the second stacked mat end1510 may be slideably coupled to a torso mount 830 or vice versus. Inother words, the vertically aligned magnetic headgear immobilizationdevice 1500 may be removably coupled to both the protective headgear 700and the torso mount 830.

FIGS. 19 through 26 illustrate the ornamental views of an indicator fora protective headgear as shown and described.

When the IAD 705 is worn by a user, the headliner 500 will residebetween the innermost surfaces of the protective headgear 700 and theoutermost surface of a user's head. The headliner 500 also includesmeans for self support and self orientation through the one or moreresilient ribs 600 when the headgear is worn by a user along withmethods for adjusting its fit on a user's head. The headliner 500 mayalso be easily added to a variety of protective headgear 700 and allowsfor easy removal of the protective headgear 700 as well as the removalof the headliner 500 from the protective headgear 700 if necessary.

The impact switch 10 is configured to read the forces applied to thehead of the user. The impact switch 10 is not limited to the headliner500 (FIG. 5) and may be positioned on the protective headgear 700 (FIG.7) or the torso mount 830 (FIG. 8), or one or more impact switches maybe positioned in, on, or about both the protective headgear 700 or torsomount 830. When an impact is detected by one or more impact switches atvarious locations, the headgear immobilization device 800, the magneticimmobilizer headgear 1200 or the vertically aligned magnetic headgearimmobilization device 1500 will lock the current position of theprotective headgear 700 to the current position of the torso mount 830and enable the impact force to be transferred through the protectiveheadgear 700 to the torso mount 830 through either one or more linearlocks 825, the interlaced mat 1251, or the stacked mat 1501. This willminimize the force of the impact applied to the head of the user. Thebinding immobilizer 1001 if FIGS. 8A and 8B may lock the torso mount 830to the user and prevent any shifting or lifting of the torso mount 830in response to the leverage applied to the protective headgear 700during an impact.

In another embodiment, the impact switches and the immobilizationdevices may be used to protect the body of the user from an impact. Forexample, if a user receives an impact to the back, an impact switch 10on the torso mount 830 may indicate the impact and the bindingimmobilizer and/or the headgear immobilization device 800 or magneticimmobilizer headgear (1200 or 1500) may lock to keep the torso mount 830in place and protect the spine and/or neck. Alternatively, the magneticimmobilizer headgear 1200 or the vertically aligned magnetic headgearimmobilization device 1500 may be positioned across the back of a userand when triggered, provide a stable surface to absorb the impact.

The headliner 500 is configured to fit the heads of humans as well asother animals. The headliner 500 may be of a fixed size or it may havemeans to adjust its fit as described above. The headliner 500 may beattached to, and become a part of the protective headgear 700 such ashelmets and head protectors, whether hard or soft shelled. In anotherembodiment, the IAD 705 may be coupled to a headband for use in soccer,field hockey and the like.

Some applications all combined or as individual devices activated by theIAD switches of the IAD 705 may include, but are not limited to,American style football, hockey, baseball, Lacrosse, Olympic andprofessional boxing, motor vehicle racing, cycling, skateboarding,skydiving, water polo, rodeo horse and bull riding, horse jumping andracing, skiing, snowboarding, surfing, mountain climbing and pogo stickjumping. The IAD 705 may also be used for physically, mentally, oremotionally challenged/disabled person. The IAD 705 may also be used formilitary, rescue, police, pilots, factory, and construction workerapplications.

It should be noted that different impact switches may apply to differentpurposes within the IAD System. The switches may be used to indicateforces which may cause head and/or vertebral column injury, they may beused to trigger/activate other devices for preventing injury, they maybe used for collecting data, transmitting the data or activate devicesintended for training users to avoid situations where injuries may occurto them or others, or combinations thereof.

The impact switch 10, double impact switch 300, the triple impact switch405, the daisy chain of impact switches, and combinations thereof may beused in other applications independent of the IAD 705 to gatherinformation about the levels of sudden motion or impacts. For example,on shoes, luggage, sports equipment, robots, tools and machinery,rockets, explosives testing, prosthetic limbs, vehicles related tovehicle impacts and centrifugal forces, packaging to indicate impactdamage during shipping, electronic or other devices to indicate impactdamage information or attitude/orientation information, vibration levelsof machinery, artillery shells and other ordnance, medical equipment forhumans and animals, physical training equipment for humans and animals,drop testing machinery and equipment, as well as other uses where suddenmotion information are collected or users wish to be alerted aboutsudden motion events.

It should be noted that although there are specific references to theelectronic circuit 520 in FIG. 5 and its location as mounted in theheadliner 500, the electronic circuit 520 may be mounted anywhere on theprotective headgear 700 or torso mount 830. Furthermore, the impactswitch 10, and other variants thereof, may be a motion sensitive device,a motion sensor, an electrical switch, an accelerometer switch, aninertial switch. It should also be noted that all spring material may bemade from spring steel.

It is noted that the terms “substantially” and “about” may be utilizedherein to represent the inherent degree of uncertainty that may beattributed to any quantitative comparison, value, measurement, or otherrepresentation. These terms are also utilized herein to represent thedegree by which a quantitative representation may vary from a statedreference without resulting in a change in the basic function of thesubject matter at issue.

Certain terminology is used in the disclosure for convenience only andis not limiting. The words “left”, “right”, “front”, “back”, “upper”,and “lower” designate directions in the drawings to which reference ismade. The terminology includes the words noted above as well asderivatives thereof and words of similar import.

The present disclosure may be embodied in hardware and/or in software(including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.). The systemcontroller may have at least one processor and the computer-readablemedium. A computer-usable or the computer-readable medium may be anymedium that can contain, store, communicate, propagate, or transport theprogram for use by or in connection with the instruction executionsystem, apparatus, or device.

The computer-usable or computer-readable medium may be, for example butnot limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic,infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, device, or propagationmedium. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of thecomputer-readable medium would include the following: an electricalconnection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, arandom access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasableprogrammable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber,and a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or otherapplicable mediums. Note that the computer-usable or computer-readablemedium could even be paper or another suitable medium upon which theprogram is printed, as the program can be electronically captured, via,for instance, optical scanning of the paper or other medium, thencompiled, interpreted, or otherwise processed in a suitable manner, ifnecessary, and then stored in a computer memory.

Computer program code for carrying out operations of the presentdisclosure may be written in a high-level programming language, such asC or C++, for development convenience. In addition, computer programcode for carrying out operations of the present disclosure may also bewritten in other programming languages, such as, but not limited to,interpreted languages. Some modules or routines may be written inassembly language or even micro-code to enhance performance and/ormemory usage. However, software embodiments of the present disclosure donot depend on implementation with a particular programming language. Itwill be further appreciated that the functionality of any or all of theprogram modules may also be implemented using discrete hardwarecomponents, one or more application specific integrated circuits(ASICs), or a programmed digital signal processor or microcontroller.

While particular embodiments have been illustrated and described herein,it should be understood that various other changes and modifications maybe made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimedsubject matter. Moreover, although various aspects of the claimedsubject matter have been described herein, such aspects need not beutilized in combination. It is therefore intended that the appendedclaims cover all such changes and modifications that are within thescope of the claimed subject matter.

What is claimed is:
 1. An impact awareness device (IAD) to reduce thelikelihood of head and vertebral column injuries, the IAD comprising: animpact switch configured to transition from an open-circuit state to aclose-circuit state when a force is exerted on the IAD in a firstdirection and exceeds a force threshold, the impact switch comprising: ahub comprising: a hub base coupled to the hub and having a central axiscentered in the hub base, and a conductive body with a body axis coupledto the hub base, the body axis lies along the central axis; a conductivemember coupled to the hub base along the central axis; a first wireelectrically coupled to the conductive member; a second wireelectrically coupled to the conductive body; a headliner configured tocouple with a protective headgear, comprising: a flexible bandcomprising one or more substrates configured to conform to a headband ofthe protective headgear, and an electronic circuit coupled to theflexible band and electrically coupled to the switch and wherein whenthe force threshold is exceeded the electronic circuit transmits anindication signal; and an indicator circuit coupled to the protectiveheadgear and electrically coupled to the electronic circuit, theindicator circuit is configured to provide an indication of thelikelihood of a head and a vertebral column injuries when the indicatorsignal is received.
 2. The IAD of claim 1, wherein the conductive memberfurther comprises: a shaft with a first shaft end and a second shaft endcoupled to the hub base; and a neck portion with a fixed length and at ashaft location along the shaft between the first shaft end and thesecond shaft end, the shaft location or the fixed length is configuredto determine the force threshold.
 3. The IAD of claim 1, wherein theconductive member further comprises: a shaft with a first shaft end anda second shaft end coupled to the hub base; and a conductive tubeslideably coupled to the shaft, an overlap distance of the conductivetube over the shaft is configured to determine the force threshold. 4.The IAD of claim 1, wherein the indicator circuit further comprises acomputer-readable medium configured to store a recording of theindicator signal and a wired connection port configured to allow thecomputer-readable medium to be access and the recording to be read. 5.The IAD of claim 1, further comprising: a second switch with a secondforce threshold coupled to the headliner and configured to determinewhen a second force is exerted on the IAD in a second direction; a thirdswitch with a third force threshold coupled to the headliner andconfigured to determine when a third force is exerted on the IAD in athird direction; a fourth switch with a fourth force threshold coupledto the headliner and configured to determine when a fourth force isexerted on the IAD in a fourth direction; and a fifth switch with afifth force threshold coupled to the headliner and configured todetermine when a fifth force is exerted on the IAD.
 6. The IAD of claim5, wherein the first direction, the second direction, and the thirddirection are a same direction; and the indicator circuit furthercomprises a first light emitting diode (LED), a second LED, and a thirdLED, the indicator circuit is configured to illuminate and indicate amagnitude of the force along the same direction by illuminating thefirst LED if the force threshold is exceeded, illuminating the secondLED if the second force threshold is exceeded, and illuminating thethird LED if the third force threshold is exceeded.
 7. The IAD of claim1, wherein the headliner further comprises: a first rib with a first ribend and a second rib end define a first rib axis, the first rib end iscoupled to the headliner with a first connector and the second rib endis coupled to the headliner with a second connector, the first connectoris opposite the second connector on the headliner; and a second rib witha third rib end and a fourth rib end define a second rib axis, the thirdrib end is coupled to the headliner with a third connector and thefourth rib end is coupled to the headliner with a fourth connector, thethird connector is opposite the fourth connector on the headliner andwherein the first rib axis is perpendicular to the second rib axis andthe first connector, the second connector, the third connector, and thefourth connector are configured to removably couple the headliner to theprotective headgear.
 8. The IAD of claim 7, further comprising one ormore ultrasonic devices coupled to the first rib and the second rib andconfigured to detect a movement of a brain of a user relative to a skullof the user when a trigger signal is received from the electroniccircuit, wherein the electronic circuit will transmit the indicatorsignal indicative of the reading when the reading indicates that amotion threshold is exceeded.
 9. The IAD of claim 1, wherein theelectronic circuit is configured to transmit a trigger signal when theforce threshold is exceeded, the IAD further comprising a headgearimmobilization device electrically coupled to the electronic circuit andcomprising: a mounting base coupled to the protective headgear; amounting bracket that removably couples to the mounting base andcomprises a quick release lever, wherein when the mounting bracket isinserted into the mounting base, the mounting bracket and the mountingbase are coupled together and when the quick release lever is actuated,the mounting bracket and the mounting base are decoupled apart; and oneor more linear locks, each linear lock comprising: a lock housing with afirst lock end and a second lock end, a mount with a first mount end anda second mount end, the first mount end is coupled to the first lock endand the second mount end is coupled to the mounting bracket, a rod witha first rod end and a second rod end, a plurality of substantiallyparallel grooves are disposed along the rod between the first rod endand the second rod end, the first rod end travels through a housingaperture at the second lock end, and the second rod end is coupled to atorso mount, and an interrupter mechanism is disposed within a platform,the platform is disposed within the lock housing and slideably coupleswith the rod, the interrupter mechanism is configured to restrict thetravel of the rod by engaging an individual groove of the plurality ofsubstantially parallel grooves when the trigger signal is receivedthereby restricting the movement of the protective headgear in relationto the torso mount.
 10. The IAD of claim 9, wherein the interruptermechanism will disengage from the individual groove of the plurality ofsubstantially parallel grooves when the electronic circuit ceases tosend the trigger signal.
 11. The IAD of claim 9, wherein the IAD furthercomprising a binding immobilizer coupled to the torso mount andelectrically coupled to the electronic circuit, comprising: a beltcomprising a plurality of substantially parallel grooves; a belt mountcoupled to the belt at a distal end; a buckle coupled to the belt at aproximal end; and a roller buckle slideably coupled to the belt betweenthe proximal end and the distal end and configured to matedly couplewith the buckle around the torso mount and wherein the interruptermechanism is disposed within a recess in the belt mount and configuredto removably engage a groove of the plurality of substantially parallelgrooves when the trigger signal is received.
 12. The IAD of claim 1,wherein the electronic circuit is configured to transmit a triggersignal when the force threshold is exceeded, the IAD further comprisinga flexible magnetorheological (MR) fluid assembly configured totransition from a fluid state to a rigid state when a magnetic field ispresent, the flexible MR fluid assembly comprises: a protective tube; aflexible tube disposed within the protective tube; a MR fluid disposedwithin the flexible tube; and a magnetic wire electrically coupled tothe electronic circuit and configured to create the magnetic field totransition the MR fluid from the fluid state to the rigid state when thetrigger signal is received.
 13. The IAD of claim 12, wherein the MRfluid will transition from the rigid state to the fluid state when theelectronic circuit ceases to send the trigger signal thereby allowing afree range of movement between the protective headgear and a torsomount.
 14. The IAD of claim 12, wherein the flexible MR fluid assemblyfurther comprises: one or more inner longitudinal tubes disposed withinthe flexible tube and enclosing the MR fluid; and a ferromagnetic coredisposed within the flexible tube along a tube axis.
 15. The IAD ofclaim 14, wherein the IAD further comprises an interlaced mat comprisingone or more flexible MR fluid assemblies woven together, the interlacedmat has a first mat end and a second mat end, the first mat end isremovably coupled to the protective headgear and the second mat end isremovably coupled to a torso mount.
 16. The IAD of claim 12, wherein theflexible MR fluid assembly further comprises: one or more magnetic plugscomprising the flexible tube with a first tube end and a second tube endand the magnetic wire wrapped around the flexible tube; and one or morecapture tubes with a first capture end and a second capture end whereinthe first capture end is configured to matedly couple with the secondtube end, the second capture end is configured to matedly couple withthe first tube end, and the MR fluid is disposed within the one or morecapture tubes, wherein the one or more magnetic plugs and the one ormore capture tubes are coupled together.
 17. The IAD of claim 16,wherein the IAD further comprises a stacked mat comprising: a firstsheet; a second sheet positioned on top of the first sheet, wherein oneor more flexible MR fluid assemblies are disposed between the firstsheet and the second sheet substantially parallel to each other tocreate the stacked mat; a first stacked mat end coupled to theprotective headgear; and a second stacked mat end coupled to a torsomount, wherein when the trigger signal is received, each flexible MRfluid assembly becomes rigid thereby the stack mat becomes rigid andrestricts the movement of the protective headgear in relation to thetorso mount.
 18. A method of immobilizing a protective headgear inrelation to a torso mount, the method comprising: detecting an impactwith impact awareness device (IAD), the IAD comprises: an impact switchconfigured to transition from an open-circuit state to a close-circuitstate when the impact is exerted on the impact switch in a firstdirection and exceeds a force threshold, the impact switch comprising: ahub comprising: a hub base coupled to the hub and having a central axiscentered in the hub base, and a conductive body with a body axis coupledto the hub base, the body axis lies along the central axis; a conductivemember coupled to the hub base along the central axis; a first wireelectrically coupled to the conductive member; a second wireelectrically coupled to the conductive body; a headliner configured tocouple with the protective headgear, comprising: a flexible bandcomprising one or more substrates configured to conform to a headband ofthe protective headgear, and an electronic circuit coupled to theflexible band and electrically coupled to the switch and wherein whenthe force threshold is exceeded the electronic circuit transmits anindication signal and a trigger signal; an indicator circuit coupled tothe protective headgear and electrically coupled to the electroniccircuit, the indicator circuit is configured to provide an indication ofthe likelihood of a head and a vertebral column injuries when theindicator signal is received; determining if the force threshold hasbeen exceeded; indicating that the force threshold has been exceededwith the indicator circuit; transmitting the trigger signal to aninterlaced mat, comprising: a flexible magnetorheological (MR) fluidassembly configured to transition from a fluid state to a rigid statewhen a magnetic field is present, the flexible MR fluid assemblycomprises: a protective tube, a flexible tube disposed within theprotective tube, a MR fluid disposed within the flexible tube, amagnetic wire electrically coupled to the electronic circuit andconfigured to create the magnetic field to transition the MR fluid fromthe fluid state to the rigid state when the trigger signal is received,one or more inner longitudinal tubes disposed within the flexible tubeand enclosing the MR fluid, and a ferromagnetic core disposed within theflexible tube along a tube axis, and one or more flexible MR fluidassemblies woven together, the interlaced mat has a first mat end and asecond mat end, the first mat end is removably coupled to the protectiveheadgear and the second mat end is removably coupled to the torso mount;and transitioning the one or more flexible MR fluid assemblies to therigid state.
 19. The method of claim 18, further comprising: ceasing totransmit the trigger signal; and transitioning the MR fluid from therigid state to the fluid state thereby allowing a free range of movementbetween the protective headgear and the torso mount.
 20. An impactimmobilization device to reduce the likelihood of head and a vertebralcolumn injuries, the immobilization device comprising: an impactawareness device (IAD) comprising: an impact switch configured totransition from an open-circuit state to a close-circuit state when aforce is exerted on the IAD in a first direction and exceeds a forcethreshold, the impact switch comprising: a hub comprising: a hub basecoupled to the hub and having a central axis centered in the hub base,and a conductive body with a body axis coupled to the hub base, the bodyaxis lies along the central axis; a conductive member coupled to the hubbase along the central axis; a first wire electrically coupled to theconductive member; a second wire electrically coupled to the conductivebody; a headliner configured to couple with a protective headgear,comprising: a flexible band comprising one or more substrates configuredto conform to a headband of the protective headgear, and an electroniccircuit coupled to the flexible band and electrically coupled to theswitch and wherein when the force threshold is exceeded the electroniccircuit transmits an indication signal and a trigger signal; and anindicator circuit coupled to the protective headgear and electricallycoupled to the electronic circuit, the indicator circuit is configuredto provide an indication of the likelihood of a head and a vertebralcolumn injuries when the indicator signal is received; a headgearimmobilization device electrically coupled to the electronic circuit andcomprising: a mounting base coupled to the protective headgear; amounting bracket that removably couples to the mounting base andcomprises a quick release lever, wherein when the mounting bracket isinserted into the mounting base, the mounting bracket and the mountingbase are coupled together and when the quick release lever is actuated,the mounting bracket and the mounting base are decoupled apart; and oneor more linear locks, each linear lock comprising: a lock housing with afirst lock end and a second lock end, a mount with a first mount end anda second mount end, the first mount end is coupled to the first lock endand the second mount end is coupled to the mounting bracket, a rod witha first rod end and a second rod end, a plurality of substantiallyparallel grooves are disposed along the rod between the first rod endand the second rod end, the first rod end travels through a housingaperture at the second lock end, and the second rod end is coupled to atorso mount, and an interrupter mechanism is disposed within a platform,the platform is disposed within the lock housing and slideably coupleswith the rod, the interrupter mechanism is configured to restrict thetravel of the rod by engaging an individual groove of the plurality ofsubstantially parallel grooves when the trigger signal is receivedthereby restricting the movement of the protective headgear in relationto the torso mount; and a binding immobilizer coupled to the torso mountand electrically coupled to the electronic circuit, comprising: a beltcomprising a plurality of substantially parallel grooves, belt mountcoupled to the belt at a distal end, buckle coupled to the belt at aproximal end, and a roller buckle slideably coupled to the belt betweenthe proximal end and the distal end and configured to matedly couplewith the buckle around the torso mount and wherein the interruptermechanism is disposed within a recess in the belt mount and configuredto removably engage a groove of the plurality of substantially parallelgrooves when the trigger signal is received.